Cocoa growers in T&T say that Government is finally acknowledging the importance of the local cocoa industry, and with a financial investment of $600,000 to assist farmers in ten different communities in the coming months. And the farmers believe that the financial boost would help to promote T&T as a global chocolate exporter.
During the launch of the Courts and Cocoa Community Project last week, farmer and chocolatier Gillian Goddard said that there were now 30 chocolate makers in T&T, compared to fewer than five a couple years ago.
Speaking at the launch, which took place at the Courts Megastore, San Juan, last week, Goddard, who is part of the Alliance of Rural Communities in T&T (ARCTT), expressed relief that whereas the nation’s back was once turned to rural communities such as Biche, Cuche and Grande Riviere, that situation is finally changing.
She wowed the audience with her extensive knowledge of chocolate-making and the use of indigenous products to create chocolate products.
Partners
The Machel Montano Foundation for Greatness and Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd are partners on the project.
Speaking about how her son’s foundation ended up partnering with the ARCTT, Government and Unicomer, Elizabeth Montano said they were always eager to help promote entrepreneurship in the industry. Her first encounter with Goddard had led to a Machel Montano chocolate bar.
They then went further in exploring the possibility of a long-term venture, accompanying Goddard to an international expo, the Northwest Chocolate Festival in Seattle in 2014, during which she won the prize for sustainability.
Montano believes the exposure would help the farmers to become successful entrepreneurs creating sustainable businesses during these hard economic times. Absent from the launch in person, Machel Montano delivered a taped video message during which he vowed to ensure that the local cocoa industry and farmers were assisted in developing the sector and their products.
Funding for farmers
Managing Director, Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd, Errol Le Blanc said the reality was that sponsorship and donation budgets had shrunk; new proposals were subjected to increased scrutiny and accountability; there was increased competition among parties seeking sponsorship; and increased expectations from recipients who receive funding.
Le Blanc said, “The search for funding will become more competitive and the level of sustainability of projects will become a greater determining factor in successful applications.”
Courts contributed $1.5 million during the past year for various projects to improve the lives of citizens, Le Blanc said. It included the donation of solar lanterns to hundreds of children who do not have electricity at their homes; the refurbishment of a home for battered women; and the provision of basic household products to needy families.
An injection of $200,000 into ten communities would include ten weekly sessions on chocolate making and the basics of running a business; six months plus of business development mentoring and practical support; close supervision of the chocolate production to ensure quality and consistency were not compromised; and support from The Cropper Foundation in the areas of post-harvest processing and marketing.
Bringing back
rural Trinidad
Treated to a traditional “dancing of d cocoa” by Felix De Ramos of the Brasso Seco Tourism Action Committee, Le Blanc said, “once this initiative is successful, we plan to explore similar collaboration with cocoa-producing communities in the Windward Islands and possibly Jamaica.”
Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat applauded the project which will see cocoa farmers in Brasso Seco, Grande Riviere, Biche and Cuche develop, market and promote “totally local” products.
Rambharat, himself a product of rural Trinidad, spoke of the fundamental changes that rural communities had undergone and government’s responsibility to ensure they returned to the once thriving and viable entities they once were.