The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has officially signed a Declaration of Intent to Cooperate with ApexBrasil and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with the objective of enhancing bilateral collaboration within the cocoa sector and utilising cutting-edge technology to increase cocoa production in Ghana.
This pivotal agreement was formalised during a high-level meeting at Cocoa House in Accra, coinciding with a Brazilian Presidential Mission to Africa.
The Brazilian delegation, led by Her Excellency Mariana Madeira, the Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, along with representatives from ApexBrasil and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, engaged in productive discussions with COCOBOD’s Acting Chief Executive, Dr. Randy Abbey and his management team. The focus was on strengthening technical and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Key topics of discussion included the application of Brazilian technology to enhance cocoa productivity, the sharing of best practices for disease management, and the promotion of research collaboration between Brazil’s cocoa sector and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).
A significant concern raised by the delegation was the current state of the global cocoa economy and pricing dynamics. The meeting highlighted the need for collaboration among the world’s five largest cocoa-producing countries; Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Brazil, Nigeria, and Ecuador to improve farmer incomes and ensure sustainability within the cocoa value chain.
The discussions also explored potential scientific cooperation, such as joint research on cocoa flavour analysis and strategies for managing cocoa diseases, including Witches’ Broom in Brazil and Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) in Ghana.
Ghana’s cocoa production has faced notable challenges in recent years, with reports indicating a decline from approximately 1 million tonnes in the 2016/2017 season to an estimated 883,000 tonnes in the 2021/2022 season.
Contributing factors include the effects of climate change, ageing cocoa trees, and the prevalence of diseases. In light of these challenges, the delegation expressed keen interest in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire’s Living Income Differential (LID) of $400 per tonne, a pricing mechanism designed to secure better earnings for cocoa farmers.
In conclusion, COCOBOD, ApexBrasil, and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock formalised their cooperation through the signing of the Declaration of Intent. This agreement marks a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations, promoting sustainable cocoa farming practices, and enhancing research collaborations between Ghana and Brazil.
This initiative sets the stage for increased technical exchanges, improved farmer incomes, and the long-term sustainability of the global cocoa industry.
Reporting by Stephen Freeman, Accra
