
Celebrating Ghana’s Cocoa Flavor in Akyem Tafo
Akyem Tafo, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, will soon become a major West African hub for cocoa flavor and… Read More
The World Cocoa Foundation African Cocoa Initiative II program is a public-private partnership that responds to the need for enhanced capacity in the cocoa sector among national institutions and address specific gaps in cocoa productivity improvements, including the provision of better planting materials, pesticides and fertilizers, and credit to cocoa farmers.
Cocoa in West Africa contributes significantly to households, communities and national economies. Collectively, this region’s estimated two million smallholder cocoa farmers produce approximately 70% of the world’s supply.
It is a highly valued cash crop across the region, one grown in association with multiple food crops presenting important food security benefits and is often grown alongside other cash crops like rubber, oil palm, coffee and cashews. Exported cocoa also provides national economies with vital revenues, bringing in an estimated $7 billion in 2012 to the national economies of West Africa. With projected strong, long- term demand, cocoa has great potential as a profitable anchor in smallholder farming systems.
Achieving this potential requires continued effort in improving productivity to make cocoa farming more economically attractive and environmentally sustainable. Additionally, effective provision of financial services based on a clear understanding of the farm finance environment in the region is essential to fostering inclusive growth in the sector.
Barry Callebaut, Blommer Chocolate, Cargill, Guittard Chocolate Company, The Hershey Company, Mars Wrigley Corporation, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Olam, TCHO, and Tree Global.
The U.S. Agency for International Development through its Global Development Alliance mechanism and the Better Than Cash Alliance.