Established seedling center

We established seedling center in five locations in western Ghana. After six months of growing seedling, it will be distributed to farmers, but it will take several more years for cocoa fruit to be harvested by replanting it in the farm.

• 

  Newly established seedling center

• 

  Cocoa's seedling that has begun to grow

Participated in the 33rd National Farmers Day

This year's National Farmers Day was held in Kumasi, the largest city after the capital, Accra, where thousands of people, including the president and relevant ministers, gathered at the venue. As in the previous year, we awarded young cocoa farmers and presented tricycle and chocolate as prizes. We look forward to seeing the use of this technology for cocoa cultivation in the future.

• 

  Award winner cocoa farmers (third from the right)

• 

  Prize tricycle

Reunited best farmer

We visited the farms of the young farmer that was awarded at the National Farmers' Day last year. He was saying that the tricycle of prizes we donated was used to transport cocoa and was very helpful. The farm was carefully maintained, and the high productivity was visually recognized and worth the award.

• 

  Best Farmer (left)

• 

  Drying cocoa

Revisit the village of Aserawadi

We revisited the village of Aserawadi, where we have been interacting for many years. This time, we donated school uniforms to the children. Everyone was pleased and dressed gently to take a group photo. We also donated fertilizers, pesticides, and sprayers for use in cocoa farms. Looking forward to seeing cocoa grow in the future.

• 

  Donated uniforms

• 

  Donation of fertilizers, pesticides, and sprayers

A year has passed since we began operating Meiji demonstration farm

A year has passed since we began operating a demonstration farm. We provided The yield of cocoa beans in plots with fertilizer and pesticides is higher than in plots without fertilizer and pesticides, and farmers are realizing the results.
When we visited our farms, we were able to confirm that a large number of flowers and cocoa pods were born in trees. We will continue to operate this farm and provide effective cultivation guidance.

• 

  Survey of the Farms condition

• 

  Training school at the farm

Held homemade chocolate class

We visited Atass Village, which is located in our cocoa purchasing area, and held chocolate class to junior high school students. This is an attempt to make chocolate using cocoa harvested in their village. Roast cocoa with charcoal and frying pans, then remove the skin, and add sugar, powdered milk, and cocoa butter to the crushed fruit. Furthermore, they are crushed, drafted, poured into molds, cooled, and finished. The students were saying “Handmade chocolate was easier and tastier than I had imagined”, and it was very well received.

• 

  Roasted cocoa beans

• 

  Removal of skin

Held the art class

We visited the village of Abesewa Gaman, located in the area where our cocoa was purchased, and held the art class for 40 elementary and junior high school students. Under the careful guidance of the teacher, we had them to draw pictures themed on the theme of cocoa pods and cocoa trees using crayons and watercolors. Ten students were given a notebook or pencil as a prize for excellence.

• 

  Class of junior high school students

• 

  Class of elementary school students

Donation of pruning equipment used in farms

We donated pruning equipment to the farms where we are purchasing cocoa. The pruning of cocoa trees is of great importance. By removing branches and leaves to make them more sunny and airy, it can promote growth and control diseases and diseases. By using this tool, you can efficiently perform such tasks as cutting high branches.

• 

  Donation ceremony for pruning equipment

• 

  Trying to cut high branch

Cocoa agricultural equipment bank established

In collaboration with exporters, we established cocoa agricultural equipment bank in Peru, one of our key cocoa sources. This means that farmers can borrow agricultural equipment for pruning, weeding, and pesticide spraying at no cost, in preparation for cocoa bean buying place.
As banks also carry out repairs and maintenance, the burden on farmers is less than in the past. We expect that we will be able to produce the high-quality cocoa that we want in a stable manner.

• 

  Cocoa agricultural equipment bank

• 

  Weeding with equipment borrowed in the bank

Established seedling center and distributed seedling

We established a seedling center in the area where we purchase cocoa, and spent about six months raising seedling and distributing it to neighboring farmers.
We hope that Meiji's unique fermentation method using cocoa fermentation boxes we donated will produce high-quality cocoa.

• 

  Seedling distribution ceremony

• 

  Seedling distributed

Distribution of fertilizers through Tome-Azu agricultural cooperative

Fertilizer was distributed to cocoa farmers through Tome-Azu agricultural cooperative in Palau. We expect that fertilizer will increase the amount of harvest next season.

• 

  Fertilizer distributed

• 

  Agroforestry plantation

Revisited of two elementary schools visited in the spring

We revisited two elementary schools that we visited in the spring. We were very pleased with the donation of stationery, blackboards, bookshelves, maps, fans, inverters, and other items that each school had strongly requested. We also distributed chocolates containing Dominican cocoa. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with production areas through a variety of activities.

• 

  Overjoyed by Japanese chocolate

• 

  Group photo in the school grounds

Donation of stationery and other items to elementary schools

We visited two elementary schools in our cocoa purchasing area and donated school bags, notebooks, writing utensils, etc. We think they will be useful for future learning.

Click here for more information about local newspaper articles

• 

  Group photos at schools

• 

Click here for more information about local newspaper articles