RAFIKI COCOA PROJECT - PowerPoint Presentation

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RAFIKI

COCOA PROJECT

“Giving chocolate lovers around the world more reasons to indulge.”

"Food of the Gods"

The RAFIKI Cocoa Project

Alfred Mitscherlich, Berlin 1859

www.africa4rafiki.net

a nonprofit NGO in Uganda with objective to raise

awareness about the Uganda origin of Cacao.

Whether consumed as an esteemed drink or exchanged as money, cacao

i

s

one of the most important plant products.

The seeds derived from the pod of the cacao tree are widely used as currency

and A4R can report the use of cacao as currency. When ground into powder, the seeds are mixed with water and flavoring agents to create a frothy beverage greatly favored. The purpose of The Rafiki Cocoa Project is three-fold:Bring awareness of the evidence indicating that the use of cacao originated in Uganda, more precisely in Bundibugyo. To encourage the small subsistence farmers to create co-operatives, and to oversee that the cacao stays organic for it to be desirable as a specialty item in the international market. 3. Ultimately, assist in ensuring that the co-operatives receive fair trade prices for their cacao, based on international markets. The Rafiki Cocoa Project seek to help cacao farmers by organizing co-operatives to produce cacao for an export market. The proposed solution has many layers including agricultural education. The Rafiki Cocoa Project plan to establish different pilot projects in cacao growing areas in Uganda.

RAFIK

I

COCOA PROJECT

Growing cacao means saving a depleting Rainforest in

Uganda, Whether consumed as an esteemed drink or exchanged as money, cacao is one of the most important plant products.  The seeds derived from the pod of the cacao tree are widely used .

The Rafiki Cacao Project in Uganda whose

vision is based on good will, good science and commitment to social justice.

Our Objective will raise awareness through the information that Theobroma Cacao Criollo originated in Uganda , more precisely, in the Bundibugyo region. The subsistent farmers we intend to help live in remote areas and speak different languages .  Some of these villagers grow cacao but mostly for their own use. One very positive factor about these farmers is that the cacao from these areas will be organic. We hope by working to create co-operatives and giving them encouragement and advice, we will be able to help them break the cycle of poverty.  The goal being that in the end they will be able to help themselves.We seek to help cacao farmers in Bundibugyo by

organizing co-operatives to produce organic cacao for an export market.  The proposed solution has many layers including agricultural education. We plan to establish two different pilot projects in cacao growing areas in Bundibugyo In this pilot project the organization will try to educate the farmers on the benefits of organic cacao production (the current market value of organic cacao being higher than the price of regular cacao), and assist in the development of fair and transparent management structure.

Cacao

Farming Saves Diminishing

Rainforest

RAFIK

ICOCOA PROJECT

The Rafiki

Cocoa aspects that will be addressed:Research the success of other similar projects

Survey sites to compile information about quality, type and production capacity in each region

Build organizational management systems for groups of about ten farmers, based on similar co-operatives

Build educational awareness of organic cacao production through the designing and distribution of multimedia educational products Establish linkages with buyers in domestic and specially foreign markets Assist with

community development goals

Assist

with

fairtrade arrangements. The objective will be achieved with substantial funding; however, it is vital that the grassroots support is forthcoming.  This will enable us to meet the ongoing expenses, but more importantly, it will demonstrate that we are interested in our work. The municipality of Bundibugyo is comprised of 60% hillside and 40% relatively flat land. The climate is tropical and humid. The proximity of the R`zori Mountains to the west ensures significant rainfall throughout the year. The combination of soil, altitude and climate make this area ideal for the cultivation of cacao.Bundibygyo is the county seat of a county that goes by the same name. Traditionally isolated.BundibugyoRAFIKICOCOA PROJECT

The

Rafiki

Cocoa work plan

On the 20

th

of July 2010, we where able to meet the Executive Director of JHB Ms Pamela and her Director

Mr

.A. J

Hachamoff

where we had a lengthy

discussion of our project and we wher able to discuss various issues which would be a win win situation for both parties. It is against this background and the various recommendations that where discussed that the following work plan has been developed.: 1: The director informed us that the first step is for their country manager Benson in Soroti to come and do an inspection on both our work place and our suppliers. This therefore means that a trip to both Kasese and Bundibudyo is in order. This is mainly aimed at instilling confidence in the other party about our determination to be worthy business partners. However before this can take place, an ad hoc trip to both areas is urgently needed to mobilize our suppliers and to organize the warehouse we had acquired for this meeting. This will help us avoid unnecessary delays and poor coordination, especially among the farmers since they come from far off areas.2: During the meeting , the primary issues was for our project to be able to initially supply JHB international with 125 tonnes of 1st grade cocoa which should be fermented for 7 days. However, because of our financial deficits, this seemed like a tall order. However, they threw us a life line that they would-

1 Provide the funds to purchase the cocoa

2 Train us in the fermenting process of the cocoa.This provides us with an opportunity to put our capital in other areas like soliciting more suppliers to mention but a few. Therefore, below is a summary of the of our initial work plan

as we wait for the next meeting which will give us a way forward:

A:

Organize

a trip to

Kasese

and

Bundibudyo

B:

Organize

another trip for the manager of JHB and

RCP

to these places

C:

Sensitize

our suppliers on the possibilities of training in fermentation techniques.

PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE WORK PLAN

Under c`struction.

"Food of the Gods"

Two trips to

kasese

and

Bundibudyo

…100 00

Accomodation

for 4 days ……….……

40 000

Food……………………………… …

30 000Organizing and facilitating the Meetings with the farmers……………200 000Miscellenous expenses……………… 30 000 TOTAL ………………………………400 000