Project description

Title: Sustainable cacao production (PPP)
Commissioned by: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Country: Viet Nam
Partner: Mars Germany
Overall term: November 2000 to June 2003

Context

Viet Nam has the right conditions for the cultivation of high-quality cacao, but experience and know-how in the field are limited. In particular for the small farmers hit by low prices in the coffee sector, cacao is an attractive source of income to either supplement or replace their income from coffee. At the moment, these farmers are struggling to earn their livelihoods, and belong to the poorest sections of society.   Mars is interested in opening up new cultivation areas that can deliver high quality produce. The company is already working in Viet Nam with local institutions and with the American Cacao Research Institute ACRI to ensure that cacao production develops on a sustainable basis.

Objective

The goal is to support sustainable cacao production by small farmers in Viet Nam.   For Mars this means expanding and improving the procurement market and promoting stable business relationships. The country profits from certified producers and better-qualified local institutions, from improved economic and ecological conditions for cacao production, from the tapping of new markets, and from more stable business relationships with more reliable sources of income for the rural poor.

Approach

GTZ and Mars are upgrading local cacao growers, non-governmental organisations and authorities in order to support the introduction of methods and strategies for cacao cultivation, processing and marketing. Seed production is being built up, plant nurseries established, and rural advisory services equipped to advise and train small farmers.    GTZ supports the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the University of Forestry and Agriculture in Ho Chi Min City in the production of seed stock. GTZ places advisors and experts in the provinces to train farmers in cacao cultivation via the rural advisory service. It also coordinates organisational and administrative agreements with local institutions. Mars provides technical support and professional consulting for the training of all parties involved in producing, processing and marketing cacao.