Extension officers inspect cocoa pods for pests during a field study organized by CoCoDev in Mayuge
The Coffee and Cocoa Value Chain Development Project (CoCoDev) has rolled out a new cocoa extension toolkit among public and private extension agents countrywide to boost production, productivity, and value addition of Uganda’s 2nd top export crop.
Cocoa exports have grown steadily, hitting a record USD 620.43 M (Shs. 2.26 tn) in 2024 /25 to the end of September. Total production stands at 72,544 MT. An estimated 70,000 smallholder farmers are engaged in cocoa production. 36% of Uganda cocoa exports go to Europe.
While cocoa’s potential to transform farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the agro industrialization agenda is immense, gaps persist, especially in knowledge and practices relating to; post-harvest handling, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and value addition.
Extension Toolkit Roll Out
CoCoDev organized three regional workshops in Jinja, Fort Portal and Hoima to popularize the toolkit.
A total of 105 extension workers will be trained on using the toolkit and then pass on their skills to producer groups, farmers and growers.
The trainings target public extension officers from the Coffee Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and private sector companies involved in the cocoa value chain.
Mr. Ronald Kasozi, the CoCoDev Project Coordinator, noted that the training is an important milestone to strengthen the capacity of Uganda’s agricultural extension system in regard to the Cocoa value chain.
“The tool kit is a comprehensive resource developed by CoCoDev, with support from the European Union, that brings together best practices, proven technologies and step-by-step guidance to support Extension Officers in delivering effective advisory services to cocoa farmers,” said Mr. Kasozi, during the opening of the training workshop in Jinja.
“To unlock this potential, farmers need to be equipped with accurate, up-to-date and practical knowledge on good agronomic practices, sustainable production, careful Post Harvest Handling and profitable marketing,” Kasozi added.
Many smallholder farmers are still using the traditional non-viable activities and options to grow cocoa. The training will ensure that farmers are equipped, and their capacity enhanced to improve the production and productivity of cocoa, build product quality and expand its value chain.
Alastair Taylor, the CoCoDev Chief Technical Advisor, thanked the European Union for the support towards the cocoa sector and called on MAAIF and private extension officers to use the toolkit to benefit the cocoa sector.
“Cocoa is the third biggest money earner for Uganda and the European Union saw the opportunity in cocoa and supported the sector under the CoCoDev Project,” Mr. Taylor said.
According to cocoa experts, Uganda is losing out on market opportunities because of the way farmers are growing, processing and marketing cocoa.
Taylor noted Ugandan cocoa has unique attributes in comparison to other cocoa origins in West Africa, and Central and Southern America, making it a popular destination for specialty buyers.
“We have something very unique within our Ugandan cocoa pods, but a lot is spoilt in the way in which cocoa is grown and the way the pods and beans are processed.”
He called for improved post-harvest management practices to improve the competitiveness of Uganda cocoa.
“This is what we are trying to standardize through these extension messages that we are giving under this training,” Taylor added.
The cocoa toolkit covers a wide range of topics that are essential for building a resilient and competitive cocoa sector. These include the recommended good agricultural practices or techniques to improve productivity, soil fertility and crop management.
Others are; Seed selection, nursery establishment, field planting and crop care., Pest and disease management: integrated approaches to controlling common tropical pests and diseases, reducing losses and ensuring healthy plantations. Climate resilience strategies helping farmers adapt to the realities of changing weather patterns through climate smart agriculture and sustainable land management.
The toolkit also covers harvest and post-harvest handling practices to maintain bean quality, minimize contamination and reduce post-harvest losses. Emphasis was put on pod harvesting, opening, fermentation of the beans, drying and marketing. Emphasis was on using the toolkit to support growers to produce the best quality cocoa which can enable Ugandan cocoa to receive the best price on the global market.
The trainings included field visits to enable participants to fully appreciate all that had been taught in regard to cocoa management and post-harvest handling.
There was also a session on the end processing of the cocoa beans to retail products such as; chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa cream and cocoa wine. The tasting of award-winning Ugandan chocolate was the “icing on the cake” of a highly successful series of trainings to further build the Ugandan cocoa sector.
How can small scale farmers access the handbook?
As the brain behind”Otwal coffee and cocoa growers cooperative society limited”, I am very impressed with the toolkit and pray that if there is to be any training I should be considered.
Contact:0761188834.
How can I access the cocoa production handbook.