Fair Vivani cocoa:
Our first own cocoa project
Backgrounds and developments of our "Direct Trade" cocoa project in the Dominican Republic - always up to date
Text:
Alexander Kuhlmann
Photography:
© Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project
14 January 2022
In order to sustainably improve the situation in the origins of our cocoa, we have launched our own "Direct Trade" project for particularly sustainably and fairly produced cocoa in the Dominican Republic together with two strong partners - the Weinrich Chocolate Factory and the Fuparoca Foundation. In this ticker we will keep you up to date with all the latest developments.
We have joined forces with our production partner – the Weinrich chocolate factory – and the Dominican foundation FUPAROCA, Inc. to improve the livelihoods of (initially) 150 cocoa-producing families in the eastern regions of the Dominican Republic. The project was officially launched in October 2020 and is already showing its first successes. Find out exactly what is happening in our newsticker below.
In addition to full traceability of the cocoa back to the farms, other goals of the “Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project” are to increase crop yields and biodiversity on the farms, access to drinking water and the payment of additional premium wages for the farmers. Targeted training is intended to strengthen the farmers in the special requirements of organic cultivation and “Good Agricultural Practices”. This enables them to improve their income and living conditions in the long term.
The “Direct Trade” cocoa from this special project will gradually flow into the production of our VIVANI chocolates.
+++ 20. September 2024 | Project honey as a sideline +++
Great news from our project. Today we introduce you to Elias Soriano, a young father from Los Botados, El Seibo, in the east of the Dominican Republic. Elias is a cocoa farmer; his mother and four siblings are farmers in the ‘Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project’. After the death of their father, they inherited the 7-hectare finca and together they cultivate this small but beautiful piece of land – and for some time now, they have not only been growing cocoa trees. Elias is a passionate hobby beekeeper and is known in the community as ‘Hombre Abeja’ (Bee Man). As part of the ‘Entrepreneurship’ project, we are providing Elias with financial and technical support to make himself less dependent on the fluctuating yields from the cocoa harvest and to start a side business that guarantees an additional income. Elias has – who would have expected otherwise – decided in favour of producing honey. The first production batch is now in the jar and Elias is visibly proud of his new product. He took the opportunity to surprise everyone of us, who has visited the Dominican Republic in recent years, with a jar of the fine, aromatic honey and a specially produced cocoa bar. What a great gesture for which we would like to thank Elias and his family from the bottom of our hearts!
+++ 22. March 2023 | World Water Day – safe drinking water +++
Today is World Water Day, and we want to use this date to remember how important access to water is. In the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, access to water is so normal, so basic, that we don’t even think about how the water flows into our kitchens, into our showers. We enjoy a bathtub full of hot water without wondering if this is a right or a privilege. Unfortunately, the reality in countries of the Global South is quite different. In many rural communities, people still do not have access to clean water. At the beginning of our “Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project”, we conducted a needs assessment in the communities, which showed that access to water is one of the biggest problems for cocoa farming families. Therefore, we included a component in our project aimed at supporting the families who do not have access to drinking water. In 2022, 17 water tanks with a collection capacity of 500 litres of rainwater were installed. In addition, filters were provided to 41 families to ensure that the water is of good and safe drinking quality. The impact on the families’ quality of life is so positive and the need is so great that we will install 6 more tanks and supply 25 more filters by 2023! By enjoying our chocolate, you are not only supporting sustainable cocoa production, you are also helping to improve the health and lives of many families.
On the picture: Project coordinator Mayarí Chua Soto with cocoa farmer Valentina Cordones and her new water tank.
+++ 08. March 2023 | World Women’s Day 2023 +++
Today is 08/03/23 – World Women’s Day. But what does it mean to be a woman? It depends on many factors. Where you were born, who your parents are, whether you had access to education, whether you could choose to become a mother, whether you can earn a decent income with a job…. Many women in the world still face serious backwardness, injustice and indifference. Therefore, on this day, I take the opportunity to share these pictures of women who fill me with pride and motivation, exemplary, hard-working women who, with a little support, can improve their lives and those of their families. Let’s continue to support women commodity producers, especially in the cocoa sector!
Elizabeth Porquin Acosta: Cocoa producer since childhood, she inherited the land from her father and is one of the members of our Sustainable Organic Cocoa project in the Dominican Republic.
Hilaria Mercedes: Cocoa producer and mother of 8 children, she has fed them all with the diverse products of her cocoa farm and the proceeds from the production, purchase and sale of cocoa. She is also a member of our Sustainable Organic Cocoa project in the Dominican Republic.
A contibution by Mayarí Chúa Soto
Project manager “Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project”
+++ March 2022 | “A very special family” +++
Weinrich employee Mayari (left picture) is in charge of looking after the “Sustainable Organic Cocoa Project”. A few weeks ago, she visited the Dominican Republic again and met some wonderful people on her trip. For example, a really special family in Higuey. Organic cocoa producers in the third generation. The cocoa farm belonged to Cecilio Berroa’s grandparents. He was born here and grew up under cocoa trees. His wife Carmen is also familiar with cocoa farming since her childhood. Nowadays, their son Marcial Berroa takes care of the cocoa farm.
One hectare of the farm will be renovated in the coming months as part of the “Cocoa Project”, as it currently has a very low productivity. In the process, 1050 cocoa plants will be planted. This is sorely needed, as most of the cocoa trees are already over 100 years old. It is astonishing that in all these years not a bit of land has fallen victim to cattle breeding. You can feel the difference as soon as you enter the farm. The temperature cools down, the climate becomes more humid – you can feel the life. The Berroa family is very proud of their history and their loyalty to cocoa. Mayari met them two years ago, before the project started. The hospitality and passion for their work was overwhelming even then. Later this year, Mayari plans to visit again to see the progress of the finca renovation.
+++ January 2022 | “Water harvesting” +++
The cocoa farms are being renovated and rehabilitated. To ensure a better drinking water supply, some water filters were delivered. Colasa Evita and Jairo Vasquez proudly present their new in-house filter system. A new rainwater harvesting system was also installed.
+++ August 2021 | Workshop “Organic Fertiliser” +++
In the last few weeks, there have been many more workshops for the cocoa producers participating in the project. They were shown how to produce bio-fertilisers and environmentally friendly preparations for pest control. For example, a mixture of powdered avocado seeds, grated coconut and salt works as a “rat poison”. This eco-preparation is then spread in the undergrowth of the cocoa trees and keeps rats away without polluting the soil or causing any further damage. The photos show some of the participants at work.
+++ June 2021 | “Grafting” workshops +++
In the region of La Altagracia in the east of the republic, we have started to show our cocoa producers how to “prop” a cocoa plant. In various workshops, experienced “cocoa technicians” explain how it works. Grafting is a process that allows an existing cacao tree to be enriched with productive branches that increase its overall yield. For this purpose, healthy branches of another tree are inserted into the incised trunk and fixed so that they grow there. This saves time and money, as a new sapling does not have to be pulled up first. Weak trees can also be revitalised ideally by this process and do not need to be felled. Through grafting, even different cocoa varieties can be “docked” onto one tree. A great method to expand the general diversity of one’s own plantation in a space-saving way. The participants are really amazed at what is possible…