There is an increasing Worldwide demand for cocoa as a major ingredient to make chocolate products ; however, this does not neccessary mean that the income for cocoa farmers has equally increased.
During the annual International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) conference in Abidjan where cocoa industry gathers to discuss the future for cocoa, the biggest cocoa farmers’ cooperative in Ghanna called Ghana’s Kuapa Kokoo explains how Fairtrade, democratic organization and farmer empowerment are the key success factors of its operations and the future livelihoods of farmers.
According to the President of Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union, Christiana Ohene-Agyare, the co-operative exists for the sole benefit of its members and Fairtrade has played a crucial role in helping farmers improve their livelihoods.
“Fairtrade has delivered significant additional income to Kuapa Kokoo and through our democratic processes we have allocated that money. A significant part has been paid directly to our farmer members and to projects that directly benefit them. Without the support and extra income which Fairtrade and our Fairtrade partners deliver, we wouldn’t be here today and cocoa farmers would still have no say in their own futures,” she stated.
