Between 2000 and 2003, a small-scale cocoa producer with an average of a ton of cocoa received between 460 US$ and 1,800 US$ annually for his product. With this level of income, a producer cannot work on or invest in bettering his crop nor does he have the opportunity to undergo training on cocoa production and processing. Lack of resources prevents him from improving the infrastructure of his farm by building, for instance, fermentation and drying centers. The sum of these factors impact negatively not only on product quality but also on the level of competitiveness of our country in global markets.
Many cocoa producers abandon their plantation and family to immigrate to cities in search of more lucrative jobs. Others risk their lives by illegally immigrating to other countries, seeking out better opportunities.
It is for this reason that the cocoa producer’s association is essential. It has permitted the improvement of producers harvests and has permitted them to obtain a much fairer price for their work.