VIENNA, VA "“ July 11, 2007- The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) today announced that it has joined with two leading international development organizations to help improve cocoa farmer incomes in Cameroon, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Liberia and Nigeria.

The new program, supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United States Agency for International Development and the WCF, will help organize cocoa farmers into group sales organizations, often referred to as co-operatives. The new effort will also help farmers develop financing options, marketing techniques and multiple buyer options "“ all to enhance their ability to sell cocoa at the best price possible.

The program is part of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), and builds upon the STCP’s efforts to address the challenges facing cocoa farming families in West Africa.

"Cocoa farmers are dedicated and hard-working, but they need our support," said Bill Guyton, president, World Cocoa Foundation. "Through training and education, we can empower cocoa farmers and strengthen the cocoa farming community."

The new farmer organization effort will be led by Canadian NGO Société de Coopération pour le Développement International, or SOCODEVI.

"We are pleased to pursue this collaboration with STCP with the realization of our 5year Program" said Mario Boivin, Program Manager, SOCODEVI. "I am convinced that, by working together, we can bring about significant and long lasting improvement in the economic and social well-being of cocoa farmers, their family members and their communities."

"In agrarian economies throughout the world, SOCODEVI has a long history of bringing farmers together to make a positive, lasting difference" said John Rowsome, president of the Confectionery Manufacturers Association of Canada (CMAC). "This program will make it easier for cocoa farmers to sell their crop together, at the right time, for the right price."

In addition to organizing farmers and improving their ability to sell cocoa, the WCF supports a number of other efforts to help cocoa farming families. The WCF-led "Healthy Communities" initiative is a five-year effort to provide cocoa farmers with practical training in important areas like crop loss and safe, responsible practices. Farmers gain knowledge through a series of "Farmer Field Schools" that provide hands-on training.

The "field schools" approach has proven effective in the past, raising farm family incomes while at the same time reducing potentially unsafe labor practices.

STCP Regional Manager Stephan Weise noted, "The STCP works to increase rural income through the introduction of production, marketing, institutional, and policy innovations. This partnership with SOCODEVI will allow us to enhance the capacity of local institutions to train and support business-oriented farmer organizations."

The new program will begin immediately, and will coincide with the five-year timeline for the Healthy Communities initiative.

Established in 2000, the World Cocoa Foundation plays a leading role in strengthening the partnership between industry and cocoa farmers. With nearly 60 member companies, the WCF supports a range of economic, social and environmental programs in cocoa communities in Africa, Asia, Central America and South America. World Cocoa Foundation programs focus on raising farm incomes, encouraging responsible, sustainable cocoa growing and strengthening communities.

For more information about the World Cocoa Foundation, or to find out how you can help support cocoa farmers, contact Bill Guyton or Robert Peck at (703) 790-5012 or via e-mail at Bill.Guyton@worldcocoa.org. or Robert.Peck@worldcocoa.org.Also, visit the WCF online at: www.WorldCocoaFoundation.org.

World Cocoa Foundation

World Cocoa Foundation

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international nonprofit membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. WCF's membership includes more than 90 cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide. Member companies range in size from small and medium size firms to large international corporations and represent over 80% of the global cocoa market. For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org.

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