Blog Entry: Bill Guyton and Robert Peck
Today we participated in a Capitol Hill Forum on "Agriculture in a World of Conflict and Violence: Investing in our Future Security", hosted by the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD). Download the agenda
Over 200 participants attended, including congressional staffers, research and development institutes, agricultural universities, U.S. government agencies and the private sector. Karl Walk, Director of Blommer Chocolate's Cocoa Department and Vice-Chairman of the World Cocoa Foundation gave a presentation on sustainable cocoa and public-private partnerships.
During his speech, Karl discussed the impact sustainable cocoa programs have had in the lives of cocoa farmers. The story we found the most compelling was from a woman named Dora who was raised on her mother's cocoa farm in Ecuador. Here is a picture of Karl with Dora during his visit:
Dora had the opportunity to participate in one of the "farmer field schools" in northern Ecuador, supported by the chocolate industry and partners. She excelled in the program, and eventually became a trainer herself. From there, Dora set up a buying network in her community and later secured funding to plant her own cocoa tree nursery. Today, her nursery produces over one million cocoa seedlings per year.
And Dora is only 22 years old! One can only imagine what she will be able to accomplish in the years ahead. This story demonstrates how "empowering farmers" through educational opportunities can lead to real and lasting transformation in rural communities.
Indira Ahluwalia, CEO of Development and Training Services followed Mr. Walk with a description of the challenges facing women in developing countries. The final speaker was James Kunder, Deputy Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development who spoke on the important role that agricultural development can play in post-conflict countries.