Support for cocoa producing areas

Support for production areas, which is one of the initiatives of Meiji Cocoa Support, has spread to various areas in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
We look at the situation in each country or area and consider the most appropriate support.
In Central and South America, for example, we are promoting high-quality cocoa production by introducing Meiji's original fermentation method.
In order to make the production of cocoa beans sustainable, we will provide optimalt support according to the actual circumstances of the producing areas and contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Providing the optimal support needed
by the producing areas.

The challenges faced vary depending on the country or area where cocoa is produced.
Meiji faces each of these challenges and provides the optimal support required by the production areas to resolve them.

Support farmers from several angles.
- Well Donations
  
  We have donated wells to ensure access to clean drinking water. These wells are also invaluable for raising seedlings.
- Seedling Distribution
  
  We are distributing seedlings of high-yield strains of cocoa, as well as tree seedlings for use in agroforestry to farmers, all free of charge.
- Farming Guidance
  
  We are offering guidance on agricultural methods for adapting to climate change, as well as actions that can prevent deforestation, including agroforestry.
- Art Classes/Chocolate Classes
  
  These children's classes involve creating art themed around cocoa, and making chocolate using cocoa harvested in the children's own villages.
- Young Cocoa Farmer Award
  
  With support from Ghanaian government bodies, we award the recipient of the annual Young Cocoa Farmer Award a gift of a vehicle for transporting cocoa and other materials.

Improving the quality of cocoa beans.

We are donating seedlings and cocoa fermentation boxes, as well as offering support in improving cocoa bean quality through the introduction of Meiji proprietary fermentation methods.

Details of support

Donation of seedling
Target: 240,000 trees by FY 2026 (170,380 trees as of FY 2022)* We also donate cocoa fermentation boxes.

Toward achieving SDGs
Grow the forest with cocoa.

We are distributing fertilizer, and supporting the cultivation of cocoa through agroforestry, as well as offering support in improving cocoa bean quality through the introduction of Meiji proprietary fermentation methods.

Details of support

Donation of Fertilizer
Target: 50,000 bags by FY 2026 (20,298 bags as of FY 2022)

Toward achieving SDGs
Providing farm equipment that everyone can use.

We are setting up tool banks for lending equipment such as pruning and weeding machinery free of charge, as well as donating cocoa fermentation boxes in order to support farmers to produce stable crops of high-quality cocoa.

Details of support

Donation of cocoa fermentation boxes
Target: 60 boxes by FY 2026 (51 as of FY 2022)* We also donate farm equipment.

Toward achieving SDGs
Supporting Education and Health.

We are offering support in improving cocoa bean quality through the introduction of Meiji proprietary fermentation methods. We are also maintaining and donating equipment and children's school supplies to community facilities such as hospitals and schools.

Details of support

Donation of Recyclable Waste Boxes
Target: 99 by FY 2026 (132　as of FY 2022)Target achieved
* We also donate school supplies and medical equipment.

Toward achieving SDGs
Providing tools necessary for Cocoa production.

We are offering support in improving cocoa bean quality through the introduction of Meiji proprietary fermentation methods. Additionally, we are donating pruning machinery, weeding machinery, protective clothing, sun protection hats, and other equipment necessary for farming.
Rare cocoa to the next generation.

We are offering community support to areas that cultivate the rare white cocoa, such as through maintaining public parks and digital communications infrastructure. We are also supporting the preservation and cultivation of single-strain cocoa plantations.
Research and development of high-quality cocoa.

We are introducing production of high-quality cocoa beans through research and development aimed at bringing out the value of cocoa beans.
By developing high-quality cocoa beans, we support the stable lives of cocoa farmers.
Toward sustainable cocoa production.

In 2019, we were certified as a JICA SDGs partner and are working on a project to create a value chain of high-quality cocoa until 2025.