Entry by: Tracey Duffey, World Cocoa Foundation

The first part of my trip with Musu outside of Monrovia took us to Bong County (188 kms away) where we met up with ACDI/VOCA LIFE Farmer/Business Organization Coordinator for Bong and Nimba counties, Mr. George King. George took us to Sanoyea Town and introduced us to two farmer associations: Tuenkpah Cocoa Farmers Association and Kwapaigeh Cocoa Farmers Association.

We held a meeting to introduce Musu and the cocoa quality training that she will be developing with the farmers’ associations. The farmers discussed with us in detail their interest in receiving additional training for warehousing, solar drying and quality. They are eager to work with Musu during her next visit with them in February, where she will spend more time to discuss their training needs and complete a questionnaire with them. This questionnaire will help her to develop and finalize cocoa quality training materials; thereafter returning to provide the farmer associations the training.

After our meeting, we visited the warehouse where we tasted several cocoa beans from bags that were brought in from different farmers. Though some of the beans were not well dried, other beans were of the best quality – having a nice cocoa flavor which is an example to other farmers, not only in Bong County, but throughout the country. During follow-up visits, Musu will work with the farmers who are producing good quality beans so that these farmers can share their fermentation and drying techniques with other farmers.

Mr. Luciny Fofanah is the Warehouse Supervisor for the Tuenkpah Cocoa Farmers Association (pictured below):

Not only is Luciny a cocoa farmer, he is a 2008 FFS Graduate from IITA/STCP and is now an FFS Facilitator training farmers throughout his county. He is actively involved in the farmer association and enjoys his new role with the association as the warehouse supervisor.

Musu will be working closely with Luciny to provide him additional training in cocoa quality so that Luciny can advise farmers who bring in their beans to the warehouse, if there is a quality problem; what the farmers can do to improve their quality.