LAGOS: The Hershey Company, a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery has put together an initiative to train over 100 thousand cocoa farmers in Ghana in the application of mobile phone text messaging and voice mail to access information for enhanced production. The program tagged “Cocoa Link” is in partnership with the World Cocoa Foundation and the Ghana COCOBOD. RrVice President in-charge of Public Affairs at Hershey, Andrew McCormick says information on best practices will be delivered to the beneficiary farmers to ultimately lead to higher yield. He indicated that the company, which has been operating in Ghana for the past 50 years, is also implementing program to improve on the environment including the education and health needs of cocoa farmers. He stated, “Ghanaian cocoa is in very high demand and we need more quality Ghanaian cocoa that will in return help the farmers increase their income and make life better for themselves and their dependents. We think that modern technology is the key way to make improvement very quickly and easily”. Tawiah Agyarko Kwarteng of the World Education Incorporated, implementers of the cocoa link program, says the extension officers of Ghana Cocoa Board will offer education to farmers who are unable to use the mobile to access services. Mrs. Kwarteng is confident more farmers will sign up to the Cocoa Link project to overcome most of the challenges face by farmers. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/gWB5G Tags: Cocoa, Ghana, Hershey Section: Africa, Business, Human Rights, International, Latest News, Tech, West Africa
