WHH HANDS OVER €
230,000 WORTH OF COCOA BUTTER & POWDER PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TO MOAWOMA WOMEN’S COOPERATIVE IN KENEMA
By: Peter Munda Stevens
Capitol Trading Processing Factory-Kenema District. 25th November 2024.
With funding from the European Union (EU) through the Agribusiness Development from Organic Resources (ADORE) project, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has officially handed over Cocoa Butter and Powder Processing Equipment to the Moawoma Women’s Cocoa Cooperative in Kenema District.
Providing an verview of the ADORE project’s objectives, WHH’s ADORE Project Manager, George Mugai, describing the event as the dawn of a new era for cocoa processing in the district. Noting that, the equipment procured under the ADORE project represents a significant achievement and promises substantial benefits for local cocoa farmers.
Mugai highlighted the comprehensive impact of the ADORE project, noting the establishment of a fully electrified warehouse with a capacity of 500 metric tons, alongside four strategically located processing centers, including fermentation and buying centers.
Currently, he said, 1,000 organic cocoa farmers have been trained and certified, with an additional 1,600 preparing to join them, bringing the total to 2,600 farmers educated in organic farming practices.
Stating that, the project has also equipped farmers with essential tools for effective farm management and facilitated training in budding, grafting techniques, fermentation protocols, and nursery establishment through expert consultants hired by WHH. Additionally, training on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been rolled out to enhance the agricultural practices of the trained farmers.
According to George Mugai, the establishment of the processing factory has improved market linkages for cocoa farmers, enabling them to secure higher prices for their cocoa beans.
Yatta Sama, Managing Director of the Moawoma Women Cocoa Cooperative, expressed gratitude for the support and outlined the cooperative’s shared vision for growth and development.
She outlined their commitment to maximizing the benefits of the new equipment for its members.
Paramount Chief Representative and Speaker of the Tunkia Chiefdom, Chief Mohamed M. Mansaray underscored the project’s significance for the local communities, stating, it would create new opportunities and boost the local economy.
Speaking on the potential for public-private collaboration and the economic development opportunities arising from the partnership between his company and the Moawoma Women’s Cooperative, Capitol Trading Processing Factory Managing Director, Hamza Hashim, stressed the importance of such collaborations in driving sustainable growth, stating, it marks an important milestone in their shared mission to empower farming communities.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security II, Sahr Hemore, stressed the initiative’s importance in strengthening agricultural value chains in Sierra Leone, asserting it would contribute to the country’s overall agricultural development strategy.
John Abu Kpawo, the EU’s Program Manager for Boosting Agriculture and Food Security, underscored the EU’s commitment to initiatives that align with the ADORE project’s development goals. He described the handover event as a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward sustainable agricultural development, celebrating the collaboration among the EU, the Government of Sierra Leone, Capitol Foods, and dedicated farmers.
Kpawo noted that, the cocoa processing equipment is not just machinery; it embodies the EU’s commitment to enhancing value addition within Sierra Leone. This initiative aims to create sustainable job opportunities and strengthen export capabilities while boosting the local economy.
The ceremony culminated with the formal presentation of facility ownership and equipment, along with the signing of official handover documents by WHH, Moawoma Women’s Cocoa Cooperative, and representatives from Capitol Trading and other dignitaries, marking a significant milestone in the project’s implementation.
This handover is not just a step toward enhancing cocoa production; it signifies the power of collaboration and a bright vision for the future of agriculture in Sierra Leone.
