2024-2025 cocoa season launched with call for better quality and fair remuneration for farmers
The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire MBARGA ATANGANA, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, launched the 2024-2025 cocoa season on Thursday, 8th August 2024 in Mvengue, in the South Region.
The event was attended by a number of key personalities, including the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo, the Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Michel Arrion, Samuel Donatien NENGUE, Administrator of the Cocoa and Coffee Development Fund (FODECC), Michael Ndoping, General Manager of the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), Apollinaire NGWE, President of the Inter-Professional Council for Cocoa and Coffee (CICC), farmers, cocoa grinders and exporters, etc.
At a time when cocoa prices are at an all-time high, the Minister of Trade decried the lack of transparency in the distribution of value within the industry, and the fact that cocoa farmers still account for less than 9% of the total value generated from their labour.
"Equity would have it that that this inequality should be corrected—not on a short-term basis, but on a systemic and long-term basis, in the name of market stability and the sustainability of the system, which calls for greater inclusiveness and transparency. Yes, transparency is the key word ".
Stressing on Quality, the Minister insisted that high quality must be matched by high prices.
"For us, it is now a matter of writing the notion of quality in golden letters. The rest, we believe, will be a matter of stewardship, which is also pivotal. And stewardship means price. I am delighted by the convergence of views between Cameroon Origin and the global umbrella organization, the International Cocoa Organization, which we are delighted to welcome at this year’s event. I am delighted that we share a common vision, one that ascertains the cocoa farmer remains the poorest actor in the value chain. The most important focus is how to share the added-value on an equitable basis".
On the other hand, Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, reminded farmers that the producers counter provides access to fertilizers and small agricultural equipment.
"85,000 tonnes of fertiliser will be distributed this year. New varieties are available to meet the challenges of climate change. I have instructed SODECAO to produce thousands of pods and irrigate hectares. We are also committed to train 400 nursery specialists this year". He added.
The cocoa season runs from 1st August 2024 to 15th July 2025.
As a reminder, domestic traded volume for cocoa for the just ended 2023-2024 was 266,725,018 kg against 263,613,133 kg last year, an increase of 1.17%.
Click here to download the summary of the 2023/2024 cocoa season and here to relive some highlights of the event on our Gallery