Sustainable Cocoa Enterprise Solutions for Smallholders (SUCCESS) Alliance Ecuador
Project Dates: 2005-2010
Country: Ecuador
Alliance: U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Cocoa Foundation, Mars Inc., Transmar Commodity Group, PL480 Corporation, Nestlé, 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 Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Rios and Manabí. 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 continued activities with 2,028 farmers (representing 56 farmer associations) who already completed Farmer Field School training. With the addition of 2009 funding from the World Cocoa Foundation and Nestlé, ACDI/VOCA is supporting the continuation of activities with 2,703 farmers (representing 102 associations) who already completed Farmer Field School training.
Program Objectives:
- To train farmers through Farmer Field Schools in order to increase quantity and improve quality of cocoa
- To reinforce Farmer Field School and Farming as a Business practices in order to increase farm productivity from 5 quintales/ha to 15-20 quintales/ha and improve the overall quality of cocoa
- To renew and rehabilitate cocoa trees through the promotion of improved planting material and nursery establishment
- To strengthen existing and promote development of new farmer associations
- To strengthen the management capacity of nurseries and clonal gardens
- To promote the formation of an agricultural service provider sector
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.
- 6,660,155 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. And, in 2009, 66 nurseries produced 506,100 seedlings, of which 95% 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 US$1,182,000 in their farms. In 2009, they pruned a total of 1,460 ha equivalent to an investment of more than US$584,000.
- 2,810 farmers trained in association strengthening in 2008/2009. The program provided training on association and cooperative principles and marketing and business plan development to members of 102 associations, 65 of which have obtained legal status as a result of project support. Furthermore, the approximately 1,000 smallholder farmers that participated in associative marketing in 2008/2009 sold 10,926 quintales of cocoa and received a total of US$161,149 more in revenue by selling directly to exporters rather than through local intermediaries.
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