A major issue that caught my attention was the “marketing of cassava” cultivated by these farmers. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, with about 50 million metric tons produced annually from an area of about 3.7 million hectares. Its importance cannot be over emphasized since it is a basic staple food to more than 70% of Nigeria’s population. One of the key objectives under CLP is improving farmer resiliency with a focus on food crop productivity, e.g. cassava and plantain. Most of these farmers have become quite successful in their cassava production due to various trainings on GAPs offered to them by Tulip Cocoa. In all these successes lies the issue of “marketing of cassava”. As one farmer put it, “every one of us produces cassava…who do we then sell the excess we have to after consuming what we need?”
WCF is committed to providing lasting solutions to these problems and hence is focusing on identifying markets that could be available for cassava produced by Nigerian cocoa farmers.
WCF realizes that hearing directly from farmers on their issues is an effective tool for designing activities that truly affect change. Through CLP, WCF is determined to continue to work with farmers to solve their most pressing problems and help ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers who produce the world’s supply of cocoa.
*Participating WCF Member Companies: Barry Callebaut, BASF, Blommer Chocolate
Co., Cargill, ECOM Agrotrade Ltd., Guittard Chocolate Co., The Hershey Company, Mars, Incorporated, Meiji Holding Co., Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Olam International Ltd., Starbucks Coffee Co., Toms Gruppen A/S, Touton SA Ltd.