Entry: Bill Guyton
On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, I was asked to participate in the radio show “Democracy Now” in the United States. I felt the live interview would be an opportunity to discuss with journalist Christian Parenti about his recent travels to Cote d’Ivoire and some of his concerns regarding cocoa farming and marketing.
During his brief visit to Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Parenti apparently was unable to visit any of the on-the-ground programs sponsored by the World Cocoa Foundation and our partners, including the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) and our educational programs which are reaching thousands of cocoa farming families in West Africa. STCP farmer graduates report income improvements of 20-55% through better farming techniques. Farmers also learn about HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, child labor awareness, and crop diversification.
Our partners in Cote d'Ivoire include the International Institute of Agriculture (IITA), ANADER (local extension service), Family Health International (FHI), Winrock International (non-formal education and youth leadership programs), International Foundation for Education and Self Help (training of teachers), and the Cote d’Ivoire Ministries of Agriculture, Education, and Labor. The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), ILO/IPEC, GTZ (German Development Agency) and others are doing important work on child labor prevention in consultation with the government of Cote d’Ivoire.
It is unfortunate Parenti also was unable to meet with any of our partners in Cote d’Ivoire, nor allow me the opportunity to fully explain the programs during the discussion. As I mentioned in the interview, I extend the invitation for him to visit West Africa again and meet with the many organizations who are working in partnership to support rural cocoa communities in West Africa.
World Cocoa Foundation is an organization which supports sustainable cocoa programs in West Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Our members include 63 chocolate companies and trade associations. www.worldcocoa.org.
Comments (3)
The readers of this site might benefit from reading the transcript of the Democracy Now! interview for themselves:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/14/chocolates_bittersweet_economy_cocoa_industry_accused
or by reading Christian Parenti's article in Fortune magazine: http://christianparenti.com/pdfs/Fortune_February08.pdf
Posted by Rodney North | February 17, 2008 12:16 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 00:16
I listened to part of the Democracy Now interview -- or should I say attack -- while driving home from work. Christian Parenti came across as a bully with a willful ignorance of global economics. Bill, you showed enormous self-control under the attack. The hosts did little to moderate the attack, which was probably to be expected. I know nothing about cocoa farming but came away impressed with what the Foundation is doing.
Posted by Allen Blakey | February 20, 2008 10:11 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 22:11
I understood from the radio show that the Sustainable Tree Crops initiative is raising farmer incomes because it is increasing yields by eliminating losses due to disease. This is good news. Forced child labor in the industry won't be eliminated as long as families remain in poverty. Fair prices for the commodity seems to be the only way out of the cycle. The protocol was meant to be a partnership between government, industry and independent certifiers. Can you tell us what steps have been take to create a space for independent certification?
Posted by Kirsten Moller | March 16, 2008 11:43 PM
Posted on March 16, 2008 23:43