Entry: Bill Guyton, World Cocoa Foundation

Last Friday, the Government of Cote d'Ivoire issued their certification report on child labor in the cocoa sector. This follows the Ghana certification report released earlier this year.

The findings from the Cote d'Ivoire report are numerous, but what struck me most is the need for better access to education in rural areas. When I was in Eastern Cote d'Ivoire in September, I had similar observations. Farming communities in many remote areas lack schools. Where schools exist, classrooms are crowded with students, eager to learn. Their teachers have limited educational materials and support. In the western regions of the country, conditions are even more challenging.

The Cote d'Ivoire certification report provides an honest account of challenges related to rural education, child labor practices and farm safety, The solutions will require the active engagement and partnership of African governments, the international development community, the private sector and others. The World Cocoa Foundation will continue to play an active role, working with our partners to help bring additional educational opportunities to cocoa growing communities.

Entry: Ms. Menimo Tonka, Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD), Cameroon

I recently attended the Second World Agroforestry Symposium at CATIE (Costa Rica). The World Cocoa Foundation sponsored my participation. Very important research issues were addressed such as biodiversity, productivity of associated crops, ecosystem services, certification schemes and their impacts as well as other products derived from agroforestry and their socio-economic importance. Looking at these diverse research findings, for the sake of making the cocoa sector sustainable, research activities should be more participatory and include the farmer from the beginning to the end of the process since they are those applying the final results in the field with the hope of improving on their productivity.

The symposium tour at Talamanca was very enriching because I got the opportunity to discuss with farmers who are organised in cooperatives and are successful in their production and marketing strategies despite some challenges. Considering the fact that since 2003 I am working on the socio-economic aspects of cocoa based family farms as well as organisations of cocoa farmers in the Centre province of Cameroon, these farmers know how to produce very good cocoa. But the main problem is at the marketing level. If any thing has to be done by the chocolate industry and partners to improve on the social and economic aspects of these cocoa producers in Cameroon, it would be to buy quality cocoa at good prices in order to encourage the farmers. Indeed, since the liberalization of the cocoa market, there is no price differentiation and thus farmers producing good quality are not rewarded in return. Cocoa exporters want good quality cocoa, but they are not ready to pay for the good quality cocoa.

For this problem to be solved, chocolate industries and partners should endeavour to re-institute the grading of cocoa at the farm level for producers to be paid objectively according to their grades. This would encourage farmers to produce good quality cocoa and thus improve on their socioeconomic status.

Photo: Ms. Menimo Tonka with farmers and field investigators in Centre Province, Cameroon.

Entry: Leigh Winowiecki, University of Idaho

Diverse cacao agroforestry systems have a place on the cacao landscape. Nutrient cycling, biodiversity and ecosystem services are enhanced when shade trees are incorporated within the cacao matrix. The Second International Symposium on Multistrata Agroforestry Systems with Perennial Crops: Making ecosystem services count for farmers, consumers and the environment, in Turrialba, Costa Rica, brought together experts from around the world to discuss important social, environmental, and economic issues surrounding agroforestry systems. Research was presented on the biophysical and economic aspects of including shade trees on the farm. In addition, presenters emphasized the need to incorporate biodiversity and production data within the same agroforestry project. Researchers also agreed on the need to work more closely with farmers to develop successful agroforestry techniques and to improve adoption success. Working with farmers increases the relevance of the research by addressing the needs of the community. Including farmers in the research was discussed especially on the following topics: certification costs, access to markets, improved production, land tenure and the design of agroforestry systems. Overall, the symposium was a success as researchers collaborated to identify directions for future international agroforestry research.

Photo: Leigh discussing soil color with a local Cabécar farmer as part of a local soil knowledge study.

Entry: Paul Moose, Teacher at Montgomery Blair School, Maryland, USA

Montgomery Blair High School welcomed several visitors who addressed students on the cocoa industry in Ghana and general issues of economic development and education. The visitors included Mr. Bill Guyton of the WCF, Mr. Kwasi Bosompem of Let's Go Africa, Professor Welma Redd of Morgan State University and Mr. Kwame Clement.

As Blair High School works to involve students in its Academy of International Studies, students become aware and want to learn more about globalization, international development and issues of social and economic justice. This kind of forum is a great chance to expose young people to experts in the field and provide first hand information from those doing the hands-on work. We look forward to future activities of this type, and several students plan to attend the Re-Thinking Africa presentation at the Embassy of Ghana scheduled for January 25, 2008.

As this year comes to a close, we reflect on the achievements of this year and plan for a successful new year. In this letter, we share some of the year's highlights as told by the farmers and residents of cocoa growing communities throughout the world. In West Africa, farmer field schools are now reaching cocoa farmers in Liberia; the state governments in Nigeria have shown remarkable commitment to cocoa farmers by supporting their own farmer schools; young adults are learning entrepreneurship skills; and, teachers are embracing interactive teaching. In Latin America, farmer organizations are building their capacity to serve their members, and the first cocoa farmer field schools were successfully conducted in Peru. In Southeast Asia, cocoa farmers are learning the art of farming - improving quality, increasing yields, and protecting the environment. These stories represent a diverse array of farmers from ten countries in three continents, from young farmers just beginning their farms to experienced farmers learning new techniques. All of the farmers share a committment to cocoa and an inspiring dedication to learning and self-improvement. In 2008, WCF plans to continue support of these programs and expand efforts to encourage innovations in the supply chain in order to improve efficiency and returns to farmers.

We wish you all the best in the new year,
Bill, Robert, Tracey, Charlie and Virginia