Cadbury Cocoa Partnership marks 100th anniversary

Since its launch last year, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership has begun investing in Ghanaian farming as part of a 10 year £30 million commitment to secure the future of cocoa farmers and their communities. While Ghanaian cocoa trades at a premium due to its consistent high quality, the country's cocoa farming industry is facing increasing challenges ranging from the ever-present threat of crop disease to attracting the next generation of farmers. The Cadbury Cocoa Partnership's first year has seen a Ghana Board set up to oversee the programme which includes representatives from Ghanaian government ministries, farmer organisations and development specialists. Cadbury chief executive Todd Stitzer is in Ghana this week to see for himself the work now underway across the 100 communities. "I am delighted to be here to witness at first hand the progress made by the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership in its first year. It's particularly timely that we're also here 100 years after the Cadbury family bought its first cocoa harvest from Ghana," Stitzer said. "The Partnership is still in its early days but, with the help of the Ghanaian President and organisations such as CARE, VSO and World Vision, I'm confident our work will help secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of thousands of Ghanaian cocoa farmers." The 100 communities who have now joined the partnership have been identifying their main development needs, including the construction of new school buildings or forming Cocoa Youth Clubs to encourage the next generation to remain with agriculture, particularly cocoa farming. This year Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is extending its activities to focus on improving farm income levels by developing farmer education programmes that explore best cocoa management practices leading to high quality and increased yields. As well as seeking to make an immediate impact on farmers' lives, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is exploring carbon reduction techniques to secure more sustainable cocoa farming. By 2018, Cadbury estimates it will have made a demonstrable difference to the lives of around half a million Ghanaian farmers.