After more than a year implementing the program of certified cocoa, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Vietnam together with Tien Giang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) organized the UTZ Certified Cocoa Ceremony at Cho Gao Cooperative- the biggest cocoa production area in Tien Giang at present.
Cho Gao cocoa has the area of 1,500 ha with 4,500 participating households in three main districts: Cho Gao, Go Cong Tay and Tan Phu Dong. The program for Certified Cocoa has been implemented from 2010. Until now, Tien Giang has had 18 Certified cocoa clubs in which 7 clubs implement at the same time the 2 programs UTZ Certified and Organic Cocoa on the area of 225 ha with the participation of 470 households. The annual production is 70 tons of dried cocoa seeds. Specially, until now, many national and international companies (such as Cargill) commit to buy 100% of Certified Cocoa products, ensure the profit for farmers at the rate of 30 to 35 percent.
To 2014, around 4,000 households will benefit directly from the program and participate into the Certified Cocoa program. HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Vietnam now and the partners implement at the same time three standards UTZ certified, Organic and Fair Trade to help the farmers to choose the right certified standards. According to the plan, in 2012 Tien Giang will enlarge the cocoa area and grow 1,000 ha of new cocoa trees with international certified standards in order to improve the agriculture products to help farmers have high income and sustainable market.
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