Promoting innovative

Transcription

1 The Ivory Coast Cocoa Project Promoting innovative and integrated crop solutions Improving yields and quality

2 Growing cocoa in the Ivory Coast The Ivory Coast, or Côte d Ivoire, is the world s largest producer of cocoa, with an annual production of around 1.4 million metric tons. Some two million hectares are under cultivation, mainly in the south of the country. Most of the cocoa is grown in smallholdings of one to three hectares. A third of the crop is processed locally and the vast majority of the produce exported, mainly to Europe, North America, and Asia. What the market demands of Ivorian cocoa farmers The main demands placed on cocoa exported from the Ivory Coast are compliance with MRLs and the standards laid down by the UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade International certification schemes with their negative list of active ingredients. How it all started Ivorian agricultural cooperatives and cocoa growers face a number of challenges. For the former it is the cost of establishing the conditions required for certification; for the latter it is the acquisition of the necessary know-how and skills along with application of good agricultural practices. This Food Chain Partnership project began with a workshop to which the various stakeholders in the cocoa value chain were invited. The name of the project, MOAYE, is symbolic: it means happiness in a local Ivorian language and underlines the project s intention of making Ivorian cocoa growers happier. What we aimed to achieve The objectives of the project are to enhance the production of high-quality cocoa, increase productivity by at least 40 %, and reduce any risks to the environment and human health resulting from the application of crop protection products and disposal of empty containers. In addition, the project aimed to meet the challenge of traceability, increase the amount of certified produce, and use digital tools to communicate details of the project partners sustainability programs.

3 Who is involved The project involves 24 agricultural cooperatives with around 16,800 farmers cultivating a total of 50,400 hectares, three major trading/processing companies (Olam Cocoa, Cargill and Cémoi), Ecookim (a group of agricultural cooperatives) and the retailer / distributor RMG. Bayer s involvement has been driven by the desire to support the sustainability objectives of its partners in the cocoa value chain.

4 The integrated crop solution Demo trials were conducted on a hectare of land to compare existing spraying practices and crop protection products with Bayer s good agricultural practices and the Bayer insecticide Proteus, each on half a hectare. Every two weeks, quantitative data on damaged pods, flowers, cherries, healthy pods and dried beans was collected from 30 previously identified trees. The local spraying program resulted in 250 kg of cocoa beans being harvesting from that one hectare, whereas the Bayer program yielded 850 kg. The following Bayer crop protection products were applied during the project: Proteus to combat cocoa stem borers (Eulophonotus spp), and Proteus and Confidor to tackle both mirids (Sahlbergella singularis and Distantiella theobroma) and psyllids (Tyora tessmanni). Another key feature of this project were training sessions on the safe use of crop protection products, application technology and integrated pest management (IPM). So far, more than 300 operators have been trained at 24 courses. Stewardship training took the form of safe disposal of empty product containers and Bayer s Phytobac water management technology, which ensures contaminants do not enter the water supply. Prior to marketing the produce, residue tests were carried out at Eurofins laboratories and pre-extension tests were conducted at 20 farms. Last but not least, Bayer staff have begun training the trainers to implement BayerGAP tools.

5 What we achieved The results of the demo trials and frequent meetings between the various partners have boosted all-round confidence in the project s success. As it is still on-going, final results are not yet available but it is already evident that cocoa farmers are benefiting from an effective and favorably priced crop protection solution and both the cooperatives and trading/processing companies are pleased with the high quality of the produce. Next steps There are plans to expand the project s acreage to 150,000 ha, involve key companies such as Barry Callebaut and Touton, and extend the scope of the project to other countries in Western and Central Africa. left: Andrew Brooks Head of cocoa Sustainability, Africa Olam Cocoa right: Marc Chardet Managing Director BWCA SA, Country Commercial Lead West and Central Africa Bayer

6 Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the need for healthy nutrition. Food Chain Partnerships help to supply consumers with high-quality fresh produce, which forms the basis of a healthy diet. But such partnerships can only succeed if they involve every player in the food chain from the farmer and processor to the exporter or importer and retailer. Bayer has the global experience and cutting-edge expertise to create a successful partnership at every level. For more information contact: Bayer West-Central Africa SA Angle rue Pierre et Marie Curie/ rue Paul 30 BP 461 Abidjan 30 Côte d Ivoire Phone: Fax: theodore.gounongbe@bayer.om Olam Cocoa Outspan Ivoire S.A. Boulevard de Vridi, Zone Portuaire, 15 BP 300 Abidjan 15, Cote d Ivoire Phone: Fax: andrew.brooks@olamnet.com Bayer AG Crop Science Division Alfred-Nobel-Str. 50 D Monheim am Rhein Germany Phone: Fax: foodchainpartnership@bayer.com Internet: by Bayer FCP Cémoi 06 BP 2561 Abidjan 06 Zone industrielle de Yopougon Côte d Ivoire Phone: Fax: p.metral@cemoi.com CARGILL WEST AFRICA Zone Industrielle de Vridi 01 BP 1864 Abidjan 01 Côte d Ivoire Phone: Fax: Jean-Marie_Delon@cargill.com