July 7, 2011
New York/Douala, Cameroon, 7 July 2011— Some 60,000 cocoa farmers in Cameroon are to get a boost to their livelihoods from a local company that has signed up to Business Call to Action (BCtA), a global initiative that aims to support private sector efforts in the fight against poverty.
Cameroonian cocoa producer Noha Nyamedjo Company has committed to build and operate a high-tech processing plant that will turn cocoa beans into high-quality butter, powder and liquor, requiring an additional 5,000 tonnes of cocoa purchases from local farmers.
“Up until now, the major challenge has been to transform raw cocoa into higher-value products,” said Amanda Gardiner, Acting BCtA Program Manager. “Through this initiative, Noha is helping to improve earning potential for farmers, increase Cameroon’s cocoa trading status, and enhance cocoa and coffee trading revenues.”
Noha is one of Cameroon’s top five producers and exporters of cocoa and will invest US$24 million in the plant which will process 16,000 tonnes of beans during the initial three years, and 25,000 tonnes per year thereafter.
