Low volumes have forced a reschedule to June 2008

 There are a number of factors contributing to low volumes at this time.Cocoa farmers sustained a 30% crop loss during the passage of Hurricane Dean.A few logistical kinks associated with procurement had to be worked out as well.More importantly however, a number of farms with relatively substantial production are either inaccessible or exist in a semi-abandoned state.A number of cocoa fields established during the heyday of the crop are in remote mountain areas.Feeder roads leading to these fields are either overgrown with forest or too deplorable to negotiate by foot or an aging farm population.And although DEXIA has been encouraging and advising farmers to clear the overbrush and prune their trees, farmers placed their overwhelming attention and limited resources on rehabilitating bananas and other crops following the passage of Hurricane Dean.

However, "There is cocoa on island" says Theodora Anthony, Export Readiness Officer at DEXIA "and we are making every effort to ensure that we get it."The farmers showing up at the mobile buying depots across the island all report on the availability of the crop.The challenge says one farmer "is to find the resources to rehabilitate and transport the cocoa."A recent cocoa pod count sample across the seven agricultural districts conducted with the help of the extension staff of the Division of Agriculture and analyzed by Ken Whiteman, JHB International's regional representative, concluded that Dominica would be able to export at least a 20-ft container load of dried beans by June.

To deliver on this new deadline, DEXIA has been revising and redoubling its efforts to secure the February/March crop.The promotion of the programme has been intensified and brought closer to the communities.Farmers with less than 300lbs of wet beans for sale are now being paid immediately at the depots rather than having to wait to collect a cheque at the main office.And given the vast expanse of certain districts, the Agency has been expanding its mobile depot operations making several stops along the buying routes.

DEXIA is also exploring the idea of using harvesting teams to facilitate owners/caretakers of the larger estates and cocoa farms without access to labour or appropriate transportation.As long as the farms can yield above 300lbs of wet cocoa beans per harvest, the Agency will send in a team to get the cocoa.The labourers will be paid from the proceeds of the sale and the rest of the monies will be remitted to the owners.

Already there are signs that farmers are responding to these latest initiatives.The last two buying trips have yielded encouraging results.A few farmers have been calling in enquiring about available assistance.To date DEIXA has secured over 5000 lbs of wet cocoa beans.That number is expected to jump significantly as the March crop comes into full bloom.And although 5000lbs seems a long way from the 80,000lbs of wet beans required, Anthony says come June 2008, DEXIA will be shipping a container load of dried beans to J.H.B international in Belgium.