Many kids first learn the source of cocoa in 3rd grade when world history and culture kicks in for the first time and they study Ghana. Ghana is the 2nd largest cocoa producing country in the world. In the last few years single origin chocolates have become popular, following coffee and wine in this regard. What many people don’t realize is that fully 70% of all cocoa comes from West Africa; cocoa is West Africa’s largest agricultural export with nearly two million small farmers growing the crop.
But cocoa farmers often lack practical knowledge and organizational support (like co-ops) to help them make a good living from the crop. Two programs are helping to make a difference though. One, just announced today, is a $40 million partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NCA’s sister organization, the World Cocoa Foundation. Over the next years this partnership will help more than 200,000 cocoa farmers in West Africa increase their incomes and improve the well-being of cocoa communities. NCA members The Hershey Company, Kraft Foods, Mars, Incorporated, ADM Cocoa, Barry Callebaut and Blommer Chocolate Company are contributing $17 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the effort.
A small but mighty program by comparison, NCA has partnered with the World Cocoa Foundation and Family Health International to incorporate malaria and HIV/AIDS awareness training into field schools for farmers in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. The Ivory Coast is the country most affected by HIV/AIDS in West Africa. HIV/AIDS and malaria particularly are prevalent in rural areas of both countries. If you would like more information on cocoa, let us know.
12:22 pm on June 10th, 2009
[...] from the Mother Nature Network detailing the efforts of many favorite chocolate makers to assist cocoa farm families who reside in the tropical climates of West Africa, Latin America and [...]