In many cocoa growing countries, the sector is one of the main drivers of the economy. Smallholder farmers are the main players and are dependent on this cash crop for a signficant proportion of thier income. At the same time, these farmers are “key” to the security of supply. Generally, productivity, consistency and quality levels are variable and often low. Farmers have many needs to improve their performance and returns, including:
- Production-related needs (focussed on increasing productivity, quality, efficient farm management)
- Finance-related needs (for inputs, renovation, investments, saving products, crop insurance)
- Market-related needs (to ensure the smallholder has access to markets to obtain a good price for his produce)
- Value-chain related needs (developing activities that add value and to removing activities / supply chain actors that negatively influence the price a smallholder obtains)
Service delivery models
To meet such needs, a diverse range of services are delivered, in different ways, to farmers. They are delivered by governments and thier extension agents, non-government and civil society organisation, and increasingly by traders and buyers. But not a lot is known about the costs (initial investments and on-going expenses) and cost-efficiency, the effectiveness (are farmers satisfied, what is the effect of the services?), the scalability (can such models be widened to reach more farmers easily at the same cost and quality?) and thier long term financial self-sustainability. There is a major lack of data and metrics and little comparative analysis of what works, for who, and where, although there many studies looking at service delivery models.
This interactive session will:
- Present preliminary findings from studies examining what models are working, where and for who and thier costs;
- Particpants can present exciting new service delivery models, such as the four-year Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme (CORIP) in Ghana http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/4077-... project managed and coordinated by Solidaridad West Africa and jointly developed by a consortium of cocoa sector partners and industry companies including international Fertiliser Development Corporation, Armajaro, Cargill, ECOM, Barry Callebaut, ADM and Continaf, and the IDH Fertilizer Initiaitive http://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/fertilzer, who can provide other exmaples?
- Gather your experiences and suggestions
- Get your feedback - vote on what you think is needed, how it should be provided and by who!
