Chocolate is a favoured sweet food the world over, however sources say that we are running out as demand outpaces supply. At the same time consumers are demanding more ethical chocolate with the rise in Fairtrade and boutique companies. SPARK along with their partner the Centre for Women’s Agriculture programme CWAP in Liberia have been boosting the production levels of small scale farmers in cocoa to improve income and secure livelihoods with this in demand product. As CWAP technical manager Edward Kalayi explains: ‘The higher incomes have helped these families improve their nutrition, their homes, their health and their education. The center for women’s agriculture program has made a difference across its close-knit community by helping bring in experts for their training.’
Liberia
This small state in West Africa had high hopes as Africa’s earliest republic and the second black republic in the world after Haiti. For those less familiar with its history, Liberia is instead remember for the recent Ebola outbreak and a fierce civil war. Rubber production has been a stable income since the 1920’s when the first state rubber company was established. Recently however globalization has meant this income is under threat. Those worst hit are often the landless peasants and farmers in the rural areas. Many now are looking towards cocoa as the new golden crop. Problematically, those who would benefit the most from this new crop have little to no knowledge of the proper ways of planting and managing. spark strated working Liberia in
Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
Five towns were selected for the cocoa training within the Rivercess county, the third largest county in Liberia. A mixture of farmer support training in cocoa production was rolled out including: cocoa nursery construction and training; sowing and transplanting; pruning, fertilizers and pesticides and crop identification. Between the months of August to December 175 farmers were trained each month while farmers were also provided with proper footwear and farming equipment. In total 6600 cocoa beans were sowed which farmers could transplant back to their own land after the training.
Centre for Women’s Agriculture Programme (CWAP)
CWAP is a women’s collective across Liberia which supports small scale farmers to ensure they get the best price for their raw crops by helping them withstand price swings and giving them business knowledge. The centre is also able to connect farmers with micro-loans therefore SPARK’s training fits into a wider network which supports farmers at every point in the value chain. As Mr Kalayi explains CWAP has ‘trained farmers in agronomic topics such as irrigation, fertilization, pest control and crop management. At the same time, we facilitate the design and financing of processing stations that allows farmer groups to sell their cocoa at a better price. CWAP also helps clients develop a business plan, learn essential business skills and improve their marketing capabilities.’

Centre for Women’s Agriculture Programme (CWAP)

CWAP is a women’s collective across Liberia which supports small scale farmers to ensure they get the best price for their raw crops by helping them withstand price swings and giving them business knowledge. The centre is also able to connect farmers with micro-loans therefore SPARK’s training fits into a wider network which supports farmers at every point in the value chain. As Mr Kalayi explains CWAP has ‘trained farmers in agronomic topics such as irrigation, fertilization, pest control and crop management. At the same time, we facilitate the design and financing of processing stations that allows farmer groups to sell their cocoa at a better price. CWAP also helps clients develop a business plan, learn essential business skills and improve their marketing capabilities.’