encouraging sustainable, responsible cocoa growing

Entry: Bill Guyton

I recently received an email from a student who is researching cocoa support programs and organizations. She writes "what is the difference between World Cocoa Foundation, the International Cocoa Initiative and Transfair"?

First of all, it is important to note that all three of these organizations are working to help cocoa growing communities. We all share a commitment to improving the quality of life for cocoa farmers, their families and the communities in which they live. We are all active on the ground, in cocoa farming villages.

However, each organization has a unique focus and approach.

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) (www.worldcocoa.org), a 501(c) 3 organization, was established in 2000 to support cocoa and their families in West Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia . The WCF is focused on helping cocoa farmers grow cocoa in an economically viable, socially responsible, environmentally friendly manner. Through partnerships with host country governments, NGOs and technical experts, the WCF works with cocoa farmers to address the many challenges cocoa farmers and their communities face. WCF also works with researchers to help over come some of the disease and pest pressures that destroy a third of the crop annually.

WCF-supported programs help cocoa farmers earn more for their crop; improve education in cocoa farming communities, and protect the environment. These efforts have benefited more than 200,000 cocoa farmers to date – raising farmer incomes by 20-50 percent, reducing pesticide use and encouraging safe, responsible labor practices.

The WCF is supported by 60+ member companies from 20 countries, most of which are involved in the making of cocoa-based products like chocolate.

In sum; the WCF works to support economic and social development in cocoa farming communities, as well as environmental stewardship.

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) (www.cocoainitiative.org) was established in 2002, as part of the “Protocol” agreement to address the worst forms of child labor in cocoa farming. Today, the ICI is the leading organization focused on labor issues on cocoa farms. A foundation, the ICI works with local partners in Ghana and the Ivory Coast to empower communities to tackle labor issues on the cocoa farm. They undertake capacity building of key organizations both in the private and public sector and support appropriate policy toward the eventual elimination of child labor.

The ICI is a unique partnership between individual chocolate companies, processors and civil society (NGOs, organized labor).

In sum: the ICI is focused specifically on labor issues on cocoa farms, and works with various parties including directly with communities to reduce unacceptable labor practices.

TransFair USA (www.transfairusa.org) is a 501(c) 3 third party organization that certifies products, as “Fair Trade”, based on a specific set of progressive social, economic, and environmental sourcing guidelines, which are established by the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International. In Cocoa, these sourcing guidelines are designed to assist small farmers in improving their incomes, competitiveness, and working conditions.

In addition to certifying and identifying specific products as “Fair Trade” sourced, TransFair USA also has a producer services unit that works with development banks, foundations, and local partners on direct farmer support initiatives and community projects designed to raise farmer income levels by improving cocoa quality and salability, as well as general community and cooperative infrastructure.

In sum: Transfair is a certifying organization, on behalf of the “fair trade” program.

While each organization has its own mission, there are areas in which we collaborate. In West Africa, for example, WCF-supported programs to help cocoa farmers are being coordinated with the ICI’s work to empower communities on labor issues. Transfair is working with World Cocoa Foundation partners in Cote d’Ivoire.

While it can get a little confusing at times, we believe that a sustained effort, across not one but several organizations, is that much more beneficial to cocoa farmers and their families.