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Company News of Thursday, March 14, 2019
Source: thefinderonline.com
2019-03-14
Both countries believe ISO certification will make farmers worse off
Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, led by their cocoa production authorities, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Cocoa Coffee Council opposed ISO certification, which they say will only 'to get worse. the already difficult situation of cocoa producers in the two main producing countries.
The two countries have therefore decided to suspend ISO certification and continue to develop their standard, which they believe will take into account the interest of all stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
This was announced at the signing of a statement and a joint press conference held in Abidjan by Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, and his counterpart (COCOBOD) , the director general of the Cocoa Coffee Council Ibrahim Kone Yves.
The two countries held a series of meetings following a statement by the Presidents of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire asking cocoa management authorities to collaborate and find lasting measures to improve the situation. cocoa farmers and ensure the sustainability of the cocoa industry. .
Speaking at the declaration ceremony, COCOBOD chairman, Mr Aidoo, said the two countries did not oppose the setting of standards for the cocoa industry but felt that the provisions of the proposed ISO certification did not include the activities of cocoa farmers and how. they work.
The implementation of standards will only create untold difficulties for farmers.
Mr. Aidoo explained that a situation in which farmers are supposed to prepare what is called the COCOA Agricultural Development Plan, the PDCD and their operating documents will be audited, as well as farms to audit at a cost to farmers, is a proposal that does not work. in the agriculture contest in Ghana currently.
He further wondered why such a cost would be pbaded on to the already impoverished peasant.
"The price of the world cocoa market is already making life difficult for the farmer and you want to put in place programs that will meet consumer expectations and further aggravate the life of the farmer," protested Mr. Aidoo.
The two countries further revealed that they are currently working on cocoa certification and traceability standards in West Africa that would take into account the interests of all stakeholders.
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