Faizel Patel – 07/08/2020
A media specialist says producing cocoa has always been a risky venture, the main ingredient of chocolate, which is loved across the world.
In 2018, scientists warned that there would be a coca bean shortage worldwide due to ageing trees, climate change and the ever-increasing demand for chocolate amongst other products.
Cocoa bean trees can only grow in rainforest conditions.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Lisa Dewberry says the price of commodity cocoa has also dropped in some countries making some farmers reluctant in growing the crop.
“It takes up to four years to grow these trees and harvesting pods is time consuming. If you bear in mind the world eats seven million tons of chocolate each year with cocoa coming from only six million small farmers in Africa and Indonesia and there’s a continuing demand for chocolate which continues to grow.”
Dewberry says there is a need for cocoa doctors.
“A cocoa doctor is farmer specializing in cocoa production. They are actually trained to do superior plant clones, good agricultural practices and affordable farm management to increase productivity and income.”
Dewberry says cocoa doctors assisting farmers have managed to increase the crop yield within the first year.
Listen to the interview with Lisa Dewberry
0 Comments