Cocoa Industry Research Articles

Estimating the prevalence of child labour in the cocoa industry via indirect elicitation methods: a mixed-methods study

Data from children suggest that the prevalence of child labour in the cocoa industry in Côte d’Ivoire is a worrying 38%. However, while surveying children has the potential to reduce sensitivity biases such as social desirability bias, it presents significant ethical dilemmas and may also be associated with other reporting biases, making accurate estimates of child labour difficult. To address this, we collected data from 1741 cocoa producers to assess whether parents could provide more accurate estimates using indirect survey methods. We compared direct questioning with a list experiment and a novel non-verbal method (‘colorbox’). We found higher prevalence rates of child labour using indirect elicitation methods, but lower than those obtained from children’s surveys. Qualitative in-depth interviews revealed motivations for underreporting, including fear of legal consequences and mistrust of stakeholders. Indirect methods alone are not sufficient to correct for underreporting when child labour is collected from parents. Future research should prioritise direct data collection from children and address ethical concerns to obtain more accurate estimates of child labour.

Unwrapping oppression: Black latinas in craft chocolate marketing

ABSTRACT This article examines how Black women from Latin America are portrayed on craft chocolate bar wrappers. The analysis is rooted in Lélia González’s qualificação ‘professional’ and Patricia Hill-Collins’s controlling images. González and Hill-Collins introduce the mammy, jezebel, matriarch, welfare queen, hot momma, mulata, doméstica and mãe preta, aiming at explaining how Black women’s oppression are ideologically justified through mass media. Drawing on a critical visual analysis of craft chocolate bar wrappers, I conclude that one figure emerges: the savage black woman – she is depicted as too wild to love and be loved, yet perfectly docile to serve and maintain ongoing colonial projects in the fine cocoa and craft chocolate industry.

Exploring Genetic Variability and Diversity in Exotic Germplasm Collection of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

The current research investigates the genetic variation and diversity in exotic accessions of cocoa to identify materials with desired characteristics as well as important traits contributing to yield and variability. The experiment was conducted at Cocoa Research Centre, Kerala Agricultural University, from 2021 to 2023. The study comprises 23 exotic genotypes in which observations were recorded on quantitative traits on flowers, pods, and beans. Statistical analysis was carried out based on the observations recorded. The morphological evaluation revealed ample variability among the genotypes for all the quantitative characters studied. The average dry bean weight recorded was 1.08 grams, which is a desirable trait in selecting individuals with high processing efficiency for the chocolate industry. Characters such as single bean dry weight, pod value, pod index, and efficiency index have recorded high values of GCV, heritability and genetic advance as percent of the mean. Principal component (PC) analysis showed that the first three PCs with more than one Eigen-value contributed to 92.18 percent of total variability among the germplasm. Yield components viz. pod value, total bean weight pod-1 and single bean dry weight significantly contribute to maximum variability among the exotic germplasm. Moreover, genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on hierarchical agglomerative clustering technique. Hybridization program involving superior genotypes identified in diverse clusters as parents can produce high-yielding hybrids. The high values recorded for the genetic parameters by yield components suggest the selection of genotypes based on which can result in better-performing progeny.

Psychological impacts of packaging aesthetics of chocolate and its effects on consumer purchasing decision

This essay investigates the psychological impacts of packaging aesthetics on consumer purchasing decisions, specifically in the chocolate industry. The global chocolate market is highly competitive, necessitating brands to distinguish themselves through effective packaging strategies. This study explores three key elements of packaging aesthetics: color, background image, and information label, and their influence on consumer behavior. This research contributes to understanding how packaging aesthetics can be optimized to influence consumer choices in the chocolate market.

Social Life Cycle Assessment of Cocoa Production: Evidence from Ivory Coast and Ghana

Cocoa is a natural resource that plays a very important role globally, being one of the most produced and traded commodities. As a labour-intensive product and considering that its cultivation involves about 50 million people globally, it seems significant to explore its social sustainability. In light of this, this research aimed to map social risks within the cocoa supply chain from a life cycle perspective. Therefore, the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) was used, following the PSILCA database, considering the two most influential countries in its production, i.e., Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The results showed that there could be a very high risk that more than half of the cocoa globally is produced through child labour and with wages too low to guarantee workers a decent living, returning incomes of $30–38/month. Forced labour is much less frequent than child labour, while cocoa from Ghana may induce a high risk of improper work, considering the 30.2 h per week worked by farmers. This is mainly due to the low association power of 10–16%, which reveals a high risk that workers may not organise themselves into trade unions. Finally, at 23–25%, there is also a very high risk of discrimination due to the high presence of migrant labour. Therefore, the S-LCA results showed that the cocoa industry is still characterised by socially unsustainable sourcing.

Resistance artery vasodilator pathways involved in the antihypertensive effects of cocoa shell extract in rats exposed to fetal undernutrition.

Fetal undernutrition establishes the foundations for hypertension development, with oxidative stress being a key hallmark. A growing interest in nutraceuticals for treating hypertension and environmental waste concerns prompted the present study aiming to evaluate whether supplementation with a polyphenol enriched extract from cocoa shell (CSE), a by-product from the chocolate industry with antioxidant properties, reduces hypertension of developmental origin, thus improving mesenteric resistance artery (MRA) vasodilatation. Adult male and female offspring from rats exposed to 50% food restriction from mid-gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) and controls were used. Supplementation was given through a gelatine (vehicle, VEH) or containing CSE (250mgkg-1day-1) 5daysweek-1 for 3weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed by tail-cuff plethysmography. MRA function was studied by wire myography, and superoxide anion and nitric oxide were investigated by fluorescent indicators and confocal microscopy. Compared to control-VEH, MUN-VEH males showed significantly higher SBP, reduced MRA as well as relaxation to ACh, sodium nitroprusside and the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside, but not to isoproterenol. In MUN males, endothelial endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and nitric oxide were unaltered, but MRA released a vasoconstrictor prostanoid and produced higher levels of superoxide anion. CSE normalized blood pressure and improved all above-mentioned MRA alterations in MUN males without an effect on control counterparts, except the reduction of superoxide anion. MUN-VEH females were normotensive and only showed a tendency towards larger superoxide anion production, which was abolished by CSE. CSE supplementation reduces SBP improving endothelium-dependent and independent MRA vasodilatation, related to local superoxide anion reduction, being a potential nutraceutical ingredient to counteract hypertension, in addition to contributing to the circular economy. KEY POINTS: Fetal undernutrition induces hypertension in males associated with deficient resistance artery vasodilatation, being normalized by cocoa shell extract (CSE). Release of a cyclooxygenase-derived contractile factor is the main endothelial alteration, which is abolished by CSE. AMPK and soluble guanylyl cyclase-mediated relaxation are also reduced in smooth muscle cells from maternal undernutrition resistance arteries, being improved by CSE. Vascular oxidative damage caused by excess superoxide anion generation can account for impaired vasodilatation, which is improved by CSE. The capacity of CSE to improve relaxation is probably related to its antioxidant bioactive factors, and thus cocoa shell is a potential food by-product to treat hypertension.

Анализ компонентного состава масла какао методом дифференциальной сканирующей калориметрии

Consumer properties of chocolate depend largely on the quality of cocoa butter, which affects the technological processes of chocolate production. This article introduces a new method of calorimetry-based mathematical modeling applied to polymorphic forms of cocoa butter. The authors studied various samples of cocoa butter from different manufacturers using the method of differential scanning calorimetry. The results of experimental studies were processed as a Gaussian distribution. The new method of cocoa butter quality assessment relied on experimental data processed as distribution dependencies of polymorphic cocoa butter forms. The latter were identified as follows: 1) a low-melting form (10–18 °C); 2) polymorphic form α (17–24 °C); 3) metastable form β' (27–29 °C); 4) polymorphic form β (28–30 °C). The authors also calculated the proportion of polymorphic forms of cocoa butter according to their melting point. The method facilitated the quality assessment of cocoa butter, which renders good prospects for the chocolate industry.

Determinants of the Share of the Economy Contributed by the Forestry Industry in Ghana from 1975 to 2023

The macroeconomic determinants of the share of the economy contributed by the forestry industry in Ghana were examined over the period from 1975 to 2023, based on the development of time-series cointegration and error correction models. The analysis indicated that the share of the forestry industry was positively influenced by the real value of the cocoa industry, the exchange rate, and the real interest rate. The relationship between the forestry industry's share and per capita real gross domestic product (GDP) was found to be curvilinear: at low levels of per capita income, the share of the forestry industry in the economy increased with increasing income; beyond a certain level of per capita income, the share of the forestry industry declined. Additionally, economic shocks, namely the El Nino weather phenomenon, and political instability, related to the occurrence of military coups, were identified as negative influences on the share of the economy attributed to the forestry industry.

Comparison of Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidants, and Aroma Profiles of Water- and Sodium-Hydroxide-Treated Natural Cocoa Powder.

Cocoa powder alkalization is an essential process in chocolate manufacturing, and traditionally, this process involves the use of alkaline agents, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and potassium carbonate (K2CO3). However, these methods involve harsh chemicals and energy-intensive procedures, raising significant environmental concerns. Water (H2O) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its safety, minimally harmful byproducts, and accessibility. Green chemistry principles have gained importance across industries, especially in food production, where sustainable practices are highly valued. This study aimed to develop a greener process by investigating the alkalization potential of H2O and comparing the results with those of NaOH. The particle size distribution, pH, color, antioxidant capacity, phenolic composition, and aroma profile of cocoa powders treated with H2O and NaOH were evaluated. The alkalization temperature significantly affected the color of the cocoa powders, and the alkali solution ratio influenced the L* values of H2O-treated powders. In industrial and commercial specifications, an ΔE value below 3 is considered standard for color measurements. Both H2O-treated and NaOH-treated natural cocoa powders had ΔE values exceeding 3 compared to the untreated powder, indicating that H2O treatment darkens the color in a similar way to that of traditional methods. While NaOH produced a darker color, process optimization allowed both H2O and NaOH treatments to achieve similar color attributes (ΔE < 3). Significant differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) between the H2O-treated and NaOH-treated cocoa powders. H2O treatment positively impacted the antioxidative properties of the cocoa powder. The antioxidant capacity, measured by the DPPH and CUPRAC methods, was significantly higher in H2O-treated samples (295.5-317.7 TEAC mg/100 g and 835-1542 TEAC mg/100 g, respectively) compared to NaOH-treated samples (256.6-306.2 TEAC mg/100 g and 171-849 TEAC mg/100 g, respectively). Additionally, the TPC of H2O-treated cocoa powder [281.3-321.6 gallic acid equivalent (GAE) mg/100 g] was significantly higher than that of NaOH-treated powder (100.0-298.6 GAE mg/100 g). The significant differences in the phenolic profiles suggested that the alkalization process affects individual phenolic compounds differently. Moreover, H2O-treated cocoa powders had significantly higher trimethylpyrazine/tetramethylpyrazine (TrMP/TMP) ratios than those of NaOH-treated samples, indicating notable differences in aroma profiles. This study suggests that H2O can replace NaOH in the alkalization process of the cocoa industry, particularly for lightly treated alkalized cocoa powders that maintain high antioxidant activity and TrMP/TMP ratios. This offers a more environmentally friendly, easily manageable, and sustainable process for cocoa powder alkalization.

Implementation of the marketing mix and selection of chocholate marketing strategy priorities in a chocolate company in Bali [Implementasi marketing mix serta pemilihan prioritas strategi pemasaran cokelat pada perusahaan cokelat di Bali

Chocolate is a processed product derived from cocoa beans that has undergone fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding to produce high-quality cocoa powder. The processing of chocolate in a company involves many lengthy stages. Implementing a marketing mix is used as a technique to increase sales. The company needs to identify the superior products favored by consumers to develop priority marketing strategies. This study aims to analyze the application of the marketing mix in the chocolate industry and generate prioritized marketing strategies for the superior chocolate products produced by a company in Bali. The research method used is the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results indicate that the marketing mix includes chocolate products such as chocolate cream, chocolate bars, and liquid chocolate. Product pricing depends on the form, with the most apparent pricing being for chocolate bars, calculated based on weight in grams. The production site is located at the main factory, which processes cocoa into chocolate cream, chocolate bars, and liquid chocolate, allowing consumers to experience the chocolate processing firsthand and try packaging chocolate at the factory. Chocolate promotion is continuously carried out through offline and online media, such as the company's website, which provides background information on chocolate production to the industry in Bali. The priority in chocolate marketing, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process, is chocolate cream, followed by chocolate bars and liquid chocolate.

Empowering farmers and enhancing sustainability: Inaru’s impact on the Dominican cocoa industry

Learning outcomes After completion of the case study, the students will be able to understand the challenges faced by cocoa farmers in developing countries and their impact on the cocoa value chain, describe the need for a business to create a business model that offers social impact in small developing economies, explore innovative business models, such as vertical integration, for addressing transparency and fair compensation issues in agricultural supply chains, analyze the role that start-ups can play in disrupting the commodities supply chain and building a national competitive advantage and examine how a values-driven business can gain the trust of stakeholders and create a profitable ecosystem. Case overview/synopsis This case study describes the innovative business model of Inaru Corporation, a pioneering venture founded by two sisters, Janett Liriano and Erika, aimed at revolutionizing the cocoa industry in the Dominican Republic. This case study outlines the challenges faced by cocoa farmers in the country, including low productivity, exploitation by middlemen and lack of value addition. Inaru’s innovative business model aimed to disrupt the traditional supply chains by prioritizing fair compensation for farmers, investing in sustainable practices and vertically integrating cocoa production from farming to manufacturing. Through direct relationships with producers, profit-sharing agreements, and a commitment to ethical business practices, Inaru sought to empower cocoa farmers and cultivate a more equitable and sustainable cocoa industry. Inaru was a model for ethical and caring business practices where it shared the profits with its farmers. By operating a profit-sharing model and sharing its fortune with other women, Inaru was helping create gender equity in the cocoa sector. Inaru planned to scale its business model to other cocoa-producing countries and even transfer its business model strategy to other commodities beginning with the coffee segment in Dominican Republic. By exploring Inaru’s case study, students gain a deep understanding of how businesses can drive positive change, create value for stakeholders and contribute to sustainable development goals. Complexity academic level This case was written for use in teaching graduate and postgraduate management courses in entrepreneurship and economics, politics and business environment. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Pengaruh Citra Merek, Komunikasi Pemasaran, Dan Inovasi Terhadap Loyalitas Konsumen Cadbury Di Kota Batam

The chocolate sector in Indonesia has rapidly transformed, driven by evolving formulations that cater to local tastes and preferences. To meet diverse consumer needs and enhance satisfaction, the chocolate industry, particularly Cadbury, continues to innovate in product formulation, flavor, and packaging. This study evaluates the impact of brand image, marketing communication, and innovation on consumer loyalty to Cadbury in Batam. Using a descriptive quantitative methodology, the study targets customers aged 17 and above who have purchased Cadbury chocolate at least twice in Batam City. With an indeterminate population size, the Jacob Cohen formula determined a sample size of 204 respondents. Data was collected through Google Forms and processed using SPSS, including descriptive tests, validity tests, reliability tests, multicollinearity tests, heteroscedasticity tests, coefficient of determination tests, t-tests, and F-tests. Results show that brand image positively and significantly affects customer loyalty. Marketing communication also has a significant positive impact, while innovation plays a crucial role. The combined influence of brand image, marketing communication, and innovation highlights the multifaceted nature of consumer loyalty, with each factor uniquely contributing to overall loyalty.

Inducing Effect of Corylus avellana on Cytotoxic Activity in Lung and Breast Cancer Cells via Apoptosis

Turkish hazelnut (Corylus avellana L. cv Tombul) is a widely used nut in the chocolate industry and is also rich in polyphenol content, which promises anticancer effects. The anti-cancer and apoptotic effects of hazelnut leaves extracts examined on lung and breast cancer cells. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) and Adenosine 5’- triphosphate (ATP) assays were carried out for cell viability measurement. The mode of cell death was shown morphologically by the double fluorescence staining. Apoptosis was determined by performing caspase-mediated cytokeratin 18 (M30 ELISA) and western blot analysis. PARP, caspase 3, caspase 8, DR4, and GAPHD (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase) protein bands were visualized as markers of apoptosis. A wound healing test was employed to measure cell migration. Methanol extract of hazelnut leaf exhibited inhibition of cell growth activities in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 values were determined as 32.17 µg/ml in MCF-7, 32.16 µg/ml in MDA-MB-231, 20.40 µg/ml in A549 and 12.04 µg/ml in H1299 cells for ethanol extract while it was determined as 21.08 µg/ml in MCF-7, 40.16 µg/ml in MDA-MB-231, 22.04 µg/ml in A549 and 5.91 µg/ml in H1299 cells in methanol extract. In comparison, methanol leaf extracts were more effective in H1299 cells (IC50 value was 5.91 µg/ml).In comparison, ethanol leaf extracts were more effective in H1299 cells (IC50 value was 9.722 µg/ml). Western blot analysis demonstrated that hazelnut leaf extract treatment of cancer cells led to cell death via apoptosis and inhibited cell migration in lung and breast cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic effects of hazelnut extract on breast and lung cancer cells might be valuable and promising in elucidating cell death mechanisms for the development of new methods in cancer treatment.

Prediction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Cocoa Beans Using UV-Fluorescence Imaging and Artificial Neural Networks for Enhanced Detection

This study introduces an innovative approach to predicting aflatoxin contamination levels in cocoa beans by leveraging an optimized Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model coupled with UV-fluorescence imaging. Aspergillus flavus-inoculated cocoa beans underwent a 7-day incubation period, and UV lamp-based image acquisition facilitated data collection. Leveraging 289 color-texture features, the developed ANN model exhibited highly promising predictive capabilities. Validation results indicate a remarkably low Mean Square Error (MSE) of 0.0087 and a high R-value of 0.9910, affirming the efficacy of the proposed model. The seamless integration of UV-fluorescence imaging and ANN presents a viable and accurate alternative for detecting aflatoxin in cocoa beans, thereby enhancing food safety practices within the cocoa industry.

Land Suitability Evaluation of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Production Areas in Davao City, Philippines

With the growing demand for cocoa, local farmers and other key players of the cocoa industry were encouraged to boost production to secure supply. However, after many decades of cocoa production, soil fertility and available cultivation areas are shrinking. Land suitability evaluation was conducted in areas grown with cocoa in Davao City, Philippines to determine the current suitability and soil-related constraints for cocoa production intensification and expansion. Using the environmental lapse rate, temperature of the area was determined and suitability were evaluated using Food and Agriculture Organization framework with the aid of QGIS software. Based on the result, six soil series were identified as suitable for cocoa. These included the Cabantian, Bolinao (Inayangan), Bolinao (Paquibato), Miral, Tugbok and undifferentiated soil. Cabantian, Miral and Bolinao (Inayangan) were moderately suitable with limitations in slope and soil fertility. Bolinao (Paquibato) was moderately suitable with limitations in soil depth and sloping topography. Tugbok was marginally suitable due to low soil fertility and slight limitation in slope. Undifferentiated soil was moderately suitable with sloping topography, shallow depth and soil fertility constraints. The six suitable soil series had moderate to marginal limitations. The constraints to cocoa production are manageable to some extent.

Applicability of Both/and Thinking in International Sustainable Business Studies

The purpose of this article is to provide a methodological demonstration making use of the both/and thinking (BAT) framework to perform analysis of intertemporal tensions. The BAT framework as an analytical tool is able to holistically examine complex multi-level business problems that involve tensions, contradictions and paradox that could be useful to others. Engaging the BAT framework in international sustainable business studies can be a challenging choice as it requires holistic understanding of the affects in the separation of contradictory elements across time and distance to shape research inquiry and direction. The approach considers that while paradoxes deal with contradictions, as a methodological process it enables a strategy for juxtaposing apparent opposites using an integrative lens embedded in BAT. As such, the use of BAT is discussed using a constructionist approach to gain insight and understanding on surfacing intertemporal tensions exemplified by the socio-business case study that is situated in the chocolate industry. The article draws on BAT primary and sub-themes and discusses implications and applications as a technique to frame the grappling of tensions. The findings are guided by the existing literature and the analysis from the empirical case study providing contributions in practice to further support the use of the BAT framework. Paradoxes examined in this article are based on affects for the themes of organizing, belonging, performing and learning. This article provides understanding of the findings to gain insight from an empirical and theoretical perspective to illustrate the practical implications of the methodological approach. As such, the principles of paradox theory are placed in the context of the BAT framework which are exemplified by making use of the empirical case study data to surface the potential applicability of the approach for future research. This article aims to contribute to the business and management methodological literature by demonstrating the use of the BAT approach and contributes with specificity in relation to the paradox taxonomy and the use of the BAT framework. Despite certain limitations, the BAT framework can be an excellent choice for qualitative sustainable business research that deals with contradictory demands.

The cacao gene atlas: a transcriptome developmental atlas reveals highly tissue-specific and dynamically-regulated gene networks in Theobroma cacao L

BackgroundTheobroma cacao, the cocoa tree, is a tropical crop grown for its highly valuable cocoa solids and fat which are the basis of a 200-billion-dollar annual chocolate industry. However, the long generation time and difficulties associated with breeding a tropical tree crop have limited the progress of breeders to develop high-yielding disease-resistant varieties. Development of marker-assisted breeding methods for cacao requires discovery of genomic regions and specific alleles of genes encoding important traits of interest. To accelerate gene discovery, we developed a gene atlas composed of a large dataset of replicated transcriptomes with the long-term goal of progressing breeding towards developing high-yielding elite varieties of cacao.ResultsWe describe the creation of the Cacao Transcriptome Atlas, its global characterization and define sets of genes co-regulated in highly organ- and temporally-specific manners. RNAs were extracted and transcriptomes sequenced from 123 different tissues and stages of development representing major organs and developmental stages of the cacao lifecycle. In addition, several experimental treatments and time courses were performed to measure gene expression in tissues responding to biotic and abiotic stressors. Samples were collected in replicates (3–5) to enable statistical analysis of gene expression levels for a total of 390 transcriptomes. To promote wide use of these data, all raw sequencing data, expression read mapping matrices, scripts, and other information used to create the resource are freely available online. We verified our atlas by analyzing the expression of genes with known functions and expression patterns in Arabidopsis (ACT7, LEA19, AGL16, TIP13, LHY, MYB2) and found their expression profiles to be generally similar between both species. We also successfully identified tissue-specific genes at two thresholds in many tissue types represented and a set of genes highly conserved across all tissues.ConclusionThe Cacao Gene Atlas consists of a gene expression browser with graphical user interface and open access to raw sequencing data files as well as the unnormalized and CPM normalized read count data mapped to several cacao genomes. The gene atlas is a publicly available resource to allow rapid mining of cacao gene expression profiles. We hope this resource will be used to help accelerate the discovery of important genes for key cacao traits such as disease resistance and contribute to the breeding of elite varieties to help farmers increase yields.

Fostering cocoa industry resilience: A collaborative approach to managing farm gate price fluctuations in West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract Agricultural price fluctuations impact the economy and society, highlighting the importance of price stability for sustainable development, poverty alleviation, food security, and economic stability. This issue is particularly pronounced in the cocoa industry, where volatile prices and inefficient supply chains often harm the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. This study aimed to develop a mitigation plan to address cocoa price volatility at the farm level. The study was conducted in Tubbi Taramanu Sub-district, Polewali Mandar District, Indonesia. Through the innovative use of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM), the key elements are delineated in their hierarchical relationships and categorized into four quadrants: autonomous, independent, dependent, and linkage, to formulate a strategy for stabilizing cocoa prices at the farm level. This research’s findings underscored the importance of reducing farmers’ dependency on middlemen as the primary strategy for mitigating fluctuations in cocoa bean prices at the farm level. This approach is particularly vital due to the excessive reliance on middlemen, a key driver of price instability at the farm level. Furthermore, it is evident that promoting and nurturing cooperation between farmers and cocoa industry stakeholders can prove highly effective and significant when fortified by the local government’s support through the implementation of appropriate public policies.

Design and Construction of an Anaerobic Digester for the Ingestion of Waste from the Cocoa Industry in Nigeria

The Anaerobic Digester designed and constructed for waste ingestion from the Nigerian cocoa industry aims to harness abundant renewable energy from crop residues like cocoa rinds and groundnuts. This study evaluates the biogas potential of these sources in contributing to the country&amp;apos;s overall energy needs, emphasizing the imperative for environmental sustainability. Focusing on reducing fossil energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing environmental impact, the project advocates for a shift towards biogas for day-to-day energy requirements, presenting direct cost savings. The utilization of fossil fuel-derived energy is known to contribute to temperature increase, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and ground-level air pollution, all of which can be mitigated through biogas utilization. This initiative involves the design and construction of a 0.24m&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; pilot plastic fossil plant for biogas generation, aiming to &amp;quot;green&amp;quot; various applications, including domestic and industrial usage as well as transportation. The digester, constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, demonstrates leak-free operation, further supporting its potential for long-term sustainability. Results from a 28-day retention period show a cumulative biogas yield, with a daily assessment indicating a gas yield of 0.0496 m&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; on the 12th day. The study highlights the positive and negative influences of temperature inequality gradients ≥34°C≤38°C on biogas production. This comprehensive research contributes valuable insights for the sustainable management of waste and the utilization of biogas as a viable alternative energy source.

Agricultural Aid and Cocoa Production in Developing Countires: Examining Ghana as a Case Study

Aid, especially Official Development Assistance (ODA), remains a lifeline for growth and poverty alleviation in developing countries. However, there is a trend in rising ODA and the variance between pledged and actual aid delivered. Therefore, there is a need for an analysis of ODA's effective use, particularly in critical sectors such as agriculture that underpin the economies and livelihoods in the developing world. This study assesses ODA's impact on the cocoa industry as an economic pillar and a significant export for many developing countries. Ghana shall serve as a case study, given its substantial dependence on the cocoa industry.