Cote dIvoire

Maximizing Opportunities in Cocoa Activity

Overview:

CNFA has implemented the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Maximizing Opportunities in Cocoa Activity (MOCA) (2017-2020), focused on increasing the productivity and efficiency of actors in the cocoa value chain to expand the trade of cocoa and cocoa products, improve the quality of cocoa, and increase farmer income.

Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector represents more than one-third of the world’s cocoa supply and the country’s number one export, supporting 3.5 million people — including 600,000 smallholder farmers and their families, who have limited capacity to increase the amount of quality beans they can sell. CNFA works with cocoa cooperatives, smallholder farmers, the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, and the private sector to tackle some of these market issues.

Program Approach:

1. Supporting Producer Groups & Cooperatives: MOCA supports farmer cooperatives in areas such as governance, management, human resources, finance, service delivery, external relations with input and service suppliers and buyers, and sustainability;
2. Working with Government & Institutions: The project supports government institutions in expanding research on and propagation of disease-resistant and improved cocoa seeds and seedlings, as well as increasing farmer access to these enhanced inputs through MOCA’s grant mechanism and technical assistance facility;
3. Providing Business Development Services (BDS): MOCA delivers BDS support to cocoa processors and businesses in rural and urban areas, and targets entrepreneurs who would like to launch businesses along the value chain in cocoa grinding and processing, value addition, and pooled transportation;
4. Facilitating Agricultural Lending: The project partners with banks and micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to increase producer access to and use of mobile money, insurance, and credit services, as well as to pilot new financial services such as crop insurance and delivery channels for cash and in-kind credit;
5. In-Kind Grants for Equipment and Inputs: MOCA distributes competitive, in-kind matching grants to cooperatives, producers, input supply professionals, and processors throughout the cocoa value chain, which complements research and adoption of improved productivity and post-harvest handling practices;
6. Developing Agro-dealers & Input Suppliers: MOCA trains and establishes a network of “spray-service professionals” (SSPs) who provide affordable, fee-based services facilitated by cooperatives for other producers;
7. Training on Improved Production Techniques: MOCA develops and leads a pilot program to regenerate plantations for cocoa producers (individuals) in the cocoa belt region, prioritizing applications from women and youth;
8. Facilitate Buyer-Seller Relationships: The project improves market access by targeting support to unorganized farmers, associations, and cooperatives that do not currently have formal relationships with exporters and facilitate linkages with reputable cocoa processors and buyers.

Partners:

1. SOCODEVI