Sustainable Cocoa Enterprise Solutions for Smallholders (SUCCESS) Alliance Ecuador
Project Dates: 2005-2009*
Country: Ecuador
Alliance: US Department of Agriculture, the World Cocoa Foundation, Mars Incorporated, ACDI/VOCA and various local organizations
Implementer: ACDI/VOCA
Overview
SUCCESS Alliance Ecuador aims to improve farm productivity, increase access to improved planting material, and strengthen farmer organizations. The program provides technical assistance and training through the Farmer Field School methodology with an emphasis on planning, crop management, post harvest management, commercialization, and participation in farmer organizations. The program is active in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios and Manabí.
Program Objectives:
- To train farmers through Farmer Field Schools in order to increase quantity and improve quality of cocoa
- To renew and rehabilitate one million cocoa trees through the promotion of improved planting material and nursery establishment
- To strengthen existing and promote development of new farmer associations
Progress to Date:
- 21,710 farmers trained through Farmer Field Schools. The Farmer Field School methodology is an interactive, hands-on approach to learning in which farmers determine topics to be covered with the guidance of a trained facilitator. A total of 6,601 farmers participated in Field Days and/or Cocoa Fairs which complement the training during the first part of the project.
- 6,154,055 seedlings produced. The plants were produced at nurseries owned and operated by farmers and farmer associations. In 2008, the project helped 122 cocoa nurseries produce 1,568,000 seedlings, 92% of which are “Nacional” variety. Additionally through the associations, participating farmers were able to prune a total of 2,955.6 ha of cocoa in 2008, which is equivalent to a cumulative investment of more than $1,182,000 in their farms.
- 1,893 farmers trained in association strengthening in 2008. The program provided training on association and cooperative principles and marketing and business plan development to members of 70 associations, 65 of which have obtained legal status as a result of project support. Furthermore, 1,000 smallholder farmers from five communities participated in associative marketing and sold 7,379.90 quintales and received a total of US$134,891 more in proceeds by selling directly to exporters.
*In January 2008, the PL480 Corporation and Transmar Commodity Group awarded funding to complement the USDA Food for Progress funding that ended in 2008. With this funding, ACDI/VOCA is continuing activities with 2,028 farmers (representing 56 farmer associations) who already completed Farmer Field School training. Activities include association strengthening, marketing, and nursery/clonal garden management.
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