Integrated management of cocoa pests and pathogens in Africa: controlling indigenous pests and diseases and preventing the introduction of exogenous ones

DURATION:
 N/A
LOCATION:
 Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Pests and Disease Management and Prevention
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 3,121,073
GRANT FINANCING:
 US$ 1,232,102 – Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
EXTERNAL CO-FINANCING
 US$ 676,045 – Mars; Mondelez; ECA and CRA UK
COUNTERPART CONTRIBUTION
 US$ 1,212,926
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana(CRIG)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 December 2012
COMPLETION DATE:
 April 2018

 

Brief Description:

The main goal of the project is to improve the productivity of cocoa farms by reducing losses to indigenous cocoa pests and diseases through awareness-raising and capacity building on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The project will also strengthen in-country and regional capacity for improved pest surveillance, for prevention of spread, early detection, eradication and continued management of existing and invasive pests and pathogens.
Project Status:

The project was completed and closed in April 2018.
Project Status:

Please click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

SPS capacity building in Africa to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticides residues in cocoa and to maintain market access

DURATION:
 Two years
LOCATION:
 CAMEROON, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, GHANA, NIGERIA, TOGO
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 6,264,109
GRANT FINANCING:
 US$ 593,460 – STDF
EXTERNAL CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 3,43,700 EDES; CropLife Africa; UNDP
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 2,326,949
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Fonds Interprofessionnel pour la recherche et le Conseil Agricole (FIRCA)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 January 2011
COMPLETION DATE:
 December 2013

 

Brief Description

The objective of the project is to maintain market access for cocoa beans from Africa through capacity building in SPS, in order to produce good quality cocoa that complies with the relevant international regulations and legislation on pesticide residues and other harmful substances.

 
Project Status

The project was completed and closed in December 2013.

 
Implementation Results

Please click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

SPS Capacity Building in Africa to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of Pesticides Residues in Cocoa and to Maintain Market Access

DURATION:
 Two years
LOCATION:
 CAMEROON, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, GHANA, NIGERIA, TOGO
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Market Access and Market Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 6,264,109
STDF/WTO GRANT:
 US$ 593,460
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 3,343,700
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 2,326,949
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Fonds Interprofessionnel pour la Recherche et le Conseil Agricole (FIRCA), Côte d’Ivoire
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 January 2011
COMPLETION DATE:
 December 2013

 

Brief Description

The main activities of the project will include creating awareness among cocoa farmers and other stakeholders along the cocoa supply chain about SPS standards in cocoa;  enhancing the capacity of relevant stakeholders to apply the rational pesticides use component of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Warehousing Practices (GWP); enhancing the institutional capacity in-country to monitor and enforce adherence to SPS standards in cocoa; and strengthen regional collaboration to support institutional capacity in individual countries to apply SPS standards in cocoa.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of this project is to maintain market access for cocoa beans from Africa through capacity building in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS), in order to produce good quality cocoa that complies with the relevant international regulations and legislations on pesticides residues and other harmful substances.

 
Implementation Status

Project implementation under the STDF grant was completed by 31/12/2013. The project results and dissemination workshop was organized in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 10-13 December 2013 and the presentations and report can be viewed on the project website.  21 recommendations were agreed to further strengthen the results of the project in addressing cocoa SPS issues.

 

The five countries involved in the project expressed a strong willingness to pursue the efforts initiated during the project.  They decided to collaborate, exchange and share experiences and to meet on regular basis to review progress. A website has been set up (www.icco.org/sps) to present information on project activities and SPS regulations.

Capacity building programme on pesticides residues and other harmful substances in cocoa in Africa

DURATION:
  Six months
LOCATION:
 CAMEROON, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, GHANA, NIGERIA, TOGO
NATURE OF PROJECT:
  Market Access and Market Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
  US$ 46,000
STDF GRANT:
  US$ 30,000
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
  US$ 16,000
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
   Consultant
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  October 2009
COMPLETION DATE:
  April 2010

 

Brief Description

The methodology used for the review was the administration of structured questionnaires to establish the current situation regarding SPS in the participating countries. This was followed by the visit of a consultant to the countries to discuss with the various stakeholders on the measures for improving SPS practices. A workshop was organized in Douala, Cameroon to discuss and finalize the proposed project on building capacity for effective SPS practices in the participating countries.

 
Project Objectives

The objective of the project was to review the existing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) practices along the cocoa supply chain and to establish the capacity of cocoa producing countries in Africa to meet the food safety regulations of cocoa consuming countries. This would help to identify areas of weaknesses for improvement and to develop a project proposal to assist the countries concerned to comply with the food safety requirements of importing countries, thus ensuring a continued market access for cocoa export.

 
Project Results

The review identified three major areas to be addressed immediately to enhance the capacity of cocoa producing countries to meet international standards. These were quantification of the levels of risk from contaminants affecting the cocoa supply chain; provision of specific information on pesticide science, at all levels in producing countries; and infrastructure to monitor and enforce SPS standards.

A project proposal on “SPS Capacity Building in Africa to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of Pesticide Residues in Cocoa and to Maintain Market Access” was developed and submitted to potential donors for financing.

Click here to download the Project Report

 

Cocoa of excellence: promoting diverse high quality cocoa origins

DURATION:
 Two years and a half
LOCATION:
 ALL COCOA PRODUCING COUNTRIES
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Market Access and Market Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 337,125
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
  US$ 91,875
CO-FINANCING:
  US$ 92,000
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
  US$ 153,250
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
  Bioversity International
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  March 2009
COMPLETION DATE:
  September 2011

 

Brief Description

The main project activities were: identification and acquisition of samples of promising cocoa origins; cocoa liquor, chocolate production and sample evaluation; cocoa flavour diversity celebration and attribution of awards at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris; and establishment of a global “Cocoa of Excellence) platform and dissemination of project results.

 
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project is to contribute towards greater diversification of cocoa markets through the identification of speciality cocoa origins with recognized or newly discovered flavour attributes. This will increase awareness along the cocoa supply chain of the diversity and complexity of cocoa flavours from diverse genetic and geographic sources.

 
Project Results

A total of 147 samples from 19 countries were received and analyzed out of which the Sensorial Technical Committee selected 50 samples with promising flavour attributes and processed into cocoa liquor. The liquor samples were subjected to sensorial evaluation by three international experts according to 12 flavour characteristics as well as global preference. These samples were processed into chocolate by chocolate manufacturers in line with agreed working procedures.

Chocolate prepared from the 50 samples of the cocoa liquor were evaluated by professionals for International Cocoa Award at the 2010 Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France. Three prizes were awarded for each of the four cocoa growing regions.

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

Feasbility study on opportunities in organic cocoa production in Africa

DURATION:
 Three years
LOCATION:
 CAMEROON AND TOGO
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Market Access and Market Development
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 131,723
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 101,426
CO-FINANCING:
  –
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 30,297
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  October 2008
COMPLETION DATE:
  October 2011

 

Brief Description

The feasibility study involved the analysis of the cocoa value chain; assessment of the current status and the opportunities for organic cocoa export including cost-benefit analysis of organic production and certification; and development of action plan for supporting organic export in selected areas, with selected producer groups and other stakeholders.

 
Project Objectives

The objective of the project was to analyse the opportunities in organic cocoa production and to identify the best production areas, producer organization and support activities for organic cocoa production in Cameroon and Togo.

 
Project Results

The study established that the conversion from conventional cocoa (organic by default) to certified organic cocoa production was both feasible and financially viable in both countries, but under different conditions.  In Cameroon, it was recommended to build upon existing multi-stakeholder partnerships, while in the case of Togo, there was a need to first strengthen the cocoa supply chain, and then build new partnerships.  In addition, for Togo, a problem of availability of improved planting material was identified, while in both countries, the incidence of pests and diseases, which could require the use of pesticides, was seen as a major bottleneck.  The study also demonstrated that the financial viability of organic cocoa production depended on a number of variables, such as the number of farmers involved, their yields, and their loyalty in selling their cocoa to their organizations.

Click here to download the Feasibility study

Host plant resistance for sustainable cocoa pod borer management

DURATION:
 Two years
LOCATION:
 MALAYSIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Pest and Disease Control
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 264,600
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 119,700
CO-FINANCING:
  –
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 114,900
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Malaysia Cocoa Board (MCB)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 October 2008
COMPLETION DATE:
 October 2010

 

Brief Description

The main project activities were to obtain the physical and morphological traits of cocoa pods of selected clones that could contribute to resistance to CPB; determine the development, reproduction and survival of CPB of selected clones; to obtain information on the ovipositional preference of CPB in the laboratory and in the field; determine and evaluate the tolerance level of selected clones against CPB.

 
Project Objectives

The objectives of the project were to develop simple, reliable and quick screening protocols for the identification and selection of clones/hybrids tolerant to Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB); and to identify and select some clones tolerant to CPB.

 
Project Results

The physical and morphological traits of the pods of the six clones studied were obtained. This information was used for selecting clones for further evaluation on the antibiosis and preference components of resistance.

Information on the ovipositional preference of CPB of the selected clones was also obtained.  Data on the egg laying preference of CPB was collected in both laboratory and field conditions. Data on CPB development, reproduction and survival of selected clones were obtained through caging the CPB and recording the eggs laid and the adult insects that emerged. Data on the Average Damage Severity Index (ADSI), which measures the CPB infestation in the pods of the clones, were determined on the selected clones.

Tolerant clones were identified through propagation, field planting and CPB assessments. A set of criteria/parameters to identify CPB tolerant clones was identified through data analysis, using statistical methods and packages.

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

Preventing and managing the global spread of cocoa pests and pathogens: lessons from the Witches’ Broom disease of cocoa

DURATION:
  Five months
LOCATION:
 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Sustainable cocoa production
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 201,930
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
  US$ 107,993
CO-FINANCING:
  US$ 86,688
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
  US$ 5,250
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
  CABI International
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
  July 2007
COMPLETION DATE:
  December 2007

 

Brief Description

The international workshop discussed the lessons learned from the results of the Witches’ broom project. It reviewed the current status and the spread of major cocoa pests and pathogens. Finally, the workshop formulated the bases for a worldwide strategy and contingency plan to prevent the introduction of and/or management of major cocoa pests and pathogens. The outputs of the project provided the inputs for a major project global project to minimise losses from the spread of pests and pathogens through the establishment of “early warning” and “early action” systems.

 
Project Objectives

The main objective of the project was to organize an international workshop to present the results of the Witches’ Broom project and to build consensus on the approach and contents of a worldwide initiative to address the threat and impact of the further spread of cocoa pests and pathogens.

 
Project Results

The international workshop agreed on a strategy that outlined actions to be carried out to prevent the globalization of cocoa pests and pathogens and to manage the situation in the worst case scenario of an outbreak of pests and pathogens. Key action points that would form the basis of a global project were also identified.

Click here to download the Workshop Report

 

Pilot project on price risk management for cocoa farmers

DURATION:
 Two years
LOCATION:
 COTE D’IVOIRE
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Risk Management
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 384,762
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 272,622
CO-FINANCING
 US$ 10,500
COUNTERPART FINANCING
 US$ 101,640
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Bourse du Café et du Cacao (BCC)
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 February 2006
COMPLETION DATE:
 March 2008

 

Brief Description

The main activities of the project were identification and training of staff of cooperatives and banks to participate in the project; preparation and implementation of pilot operations on hedging strategies; and evaluation of the results of the pilot operations.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to develop and implement a price risk management strategy for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. This would reduce the exposure of smallholder cocoa farmers to price fluctuations on the international market. It would also help to develop capacity to enable farmers and their organizations to make more rational production and investment decisions, based on more realistic assumptions and price expectations.

 
Project Results

Training materials on price risk management were developed. Representatives of local institutions and cooperatives were trained on price risk management strategies. Sources of price risk at farm-gate were identified. Hedging instruments (POPS and Puts) mitigating these sources of risk were adequately selected. Hedging contracts were drafted and approved by all parties involved. Hedging strategies were implemented on the London and New York cocoa option markets.

Click here to download the Project Completion report (PCR)

 

Cocoa productivity and quality improvement: a participatory approach

DURATION:
 Six years
LOCATION:
 BRAZIL,
CAMEROON,
COSTA RICA,
COTE D’IVOIRE,
ECUADOR,
GHANA,
MALAYSIA,
NIGERIA,
PAPUA NEW GUINEA,
PERU,
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
VENEZUELA
NATURE OF PROJECT:
 Sustainable cocoa production
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST:
 US$ 10,504,553
FINANCING COMMITED BY CFC:
 US$ 3,916,120
CO-FINANCING:
 US$ 3,338,443
COUNTERPART FINANCING:
 US$ 3,249,990
PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY (PEA):
 Bioversity International
PROJECT SUPERVISORY BODY:
 International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
PROJECT STARTING DATE:
 March 2004
COMPLETION DATE:
 December 2010

 

Brief Description

The main project activities were distribution and validation of promising planting materials on-farm through participatory approach; validation and dissemination of promising cocoa varieties through enhanced international collaboration; and exchange of information and dissemination of results.

 
Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project was to improve the welfare of smallholder cocoa farmers through higher and more sustainable productivity levels of good quality cocoa at lower production costs. The project aimed to contribute to this objective through the selection, distribution and use of new cocoa varieties with improved yield capacity, resistance to pests and pathogens and good quality traits.

 
Project Results

Approximately 2000 farms were surveyed in ten different countries and about 1,500 farm selections were established in on-station observation plots or in on-farm trial plots in eight countries. In addition, about 240 on-farm selection plots were established.

About 85 ha of variety trials established in the earlier project were evaluated and several new varieties were selected or confirmed for commercial distribution to farmers. International clone trials were established and evaluated. The average of the local clones yielded substantially more than the average of the international clones. A large germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Phytophthora pod rot was carried out where about 70% of resistant or moderately resistant trees were obtained.

The project had significantly achieved its objectives. In particular, a number of cocoa varieties that are high yielding and pests and disease resistant have been released to cocoa farmers. In addition, a number of new and improved cocoa planting materials were being tested and validated on research fields for eventual release to farmers.

Click here to download the Project Completion Report (PCR)