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.

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  Newly established seedling center

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  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.

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  Award winner cocoa farmers (third from the right)

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  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.

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  Best Farmer (left)

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  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.

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  Donated uniforms

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  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.

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  Survey of the Farms condition

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  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.

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  Roasted cocoa beans

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  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.

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  Class of junior high school students

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  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.

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  Donation ceremony for pruning equipment

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  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.

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  Cocoa agricultural equipment bank

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  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.

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  Seedling distribution ceremony

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  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.

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  Fertilizer distributed

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  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.

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  Overjoyed by Japanese chocolate

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  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.

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  Group photos at schools

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Click here for more information about local newspaper articles

Farmer training school held

We held training school in 2016. The farms in Domiabra village, where we visited, explained and demonstrated the proper harvesting, pruning, and pesticide spraying methods. Active Q&A sessions were also held between instructors and farmers. At the end of the school, the farmers ate chocolate made from cocoa harvested on their farms to ascertain the flavor of cocoa they had grown.

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  Present prototype chocolate

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  Explanation of harvesting methods

Started operation of Meiji demonstration farm

We built Meiji demonstration farm in a plot of Domiabra village. This is to make farmers realize that if they manage fertilizer , pruning, weeding, and pesticide use as instructed, the harvest will increase.

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  Gave Meiji T-shirt

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  At the demonstration farm with the farmer (left)

Participated in the 32nd National Farmers Day

In Ghana, a National Farmers' Day event is held annually to honor outstanding farmers for each crop, such as cocoa, coffee, and shea nuts, and that day is a national holiday.
This was the 32nd time the festival was held in a town called Kintanpo in the north. The President of Ghana attended and thousands of people gathered. The sponsor, Meiji, commended promising young cocoa farmers selected by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Awards were presented for the Tri-Cycle (with a cargo vehicle attached to the back of the motorcycle) and Meiji Milk Chocolate.

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  The winner, a cocoa farmer (left)

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  Prize tricycle

Held art class

We held an art class to 80 elementary school students in Aserawadi village. At cocoa farms near the school, they used crayons and pens to draw pictures of cocoa under the guidance of the teacher, and they had a great time. Finally, the best works were selected and awards were given.

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  Art class

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  Art class

Donated sun hats for use on farms

We donated a sun hats to farmers who work at farms where we purchase our cocoa beans.

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  Donation of sun hats

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Distribution of seedling

Meiji, with the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries (MAGAP) in Ecuador, held an event to distribute seedling to farmers who we had been supporting. 2000 of seedling and Meiji Milk Chocolate were distributed to about 100 farmers gathered at the hall.

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  Distribution of seedling

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Donated work clothes

We donated working clothes to farmers who worked at the farms that purchased cocoa when they used fertilizers and pesticides. Employees from the Meiji visited each farm to hold a donation ceremony and handed it to each individual.

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  Donated work clothes

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  Wear work clothes at the farm

Attended at graduation ceremony of farmer support program

Meiji employees attended the graduation ceremony for the program that wesupport through cocoa suppliers.
The region's plantations are small, but more than 100 years ago cocoa cultivation has been prevalent and is known worldwide for producing high-quality cocoa. The farmer assistance program aims to increase income through increased harvests and better farming operations, thereby improving the lives of farmers.
477 farmers attended the graduation ceremony. Farmers with excellent grades were presented with seedling, pruning equipment, and fertilizers. Meiji gave Meiji Milk Chocolate.

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  Graduation ceremony

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  Best farmers get milk chocolate

Dream cocoa house creation

Meiji gave a third art class to 60 elementary and junior high school students in Aserawadi Village.
The kids colored the assembled wooden houses with paint and decorated to express "cocoa house I want to live in."
Finally, 5 excellent works were selected, and presented them with T-shirts, chocolates, etc. were given as gifts. The children enjoyed very much.

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  Preparation of cocoa House

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  A commemorative photo shoot for everyone

For workshops on cocoa cultivation held

We held a workshops for cocoa farmers to learn about cultivation techniques and management. The festival is also held regularly in Thurman Village, which donated wells and seedling centers. Many farmers gathered in elementary school classrooms and were briefed by their instructors. Questions and answers have also been active, and the enthusiasm for cocoa farming has been conveyed.

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  Lectures by instructors

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  Q&A session

Donation of wells and seedling centers

We donated a fifth well and a cocoa seedling center to Thurman village in our cocoa purchasing area.
The wells not only provide the water needed for living, but also serve as a place for people to gather and exchange information. Cocoa trees are generally grown from seedling, but a seedling center near the farm has made it easier for nearby farmers to get seedling.

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  Well

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  Cocoa seedling center

Delivery ceremony for elementary schools held

In August 2013, a long-sought primary school was completed in the village of Aselawadi in the cocoa purchasing area. It was made possible by our persistent efforts to utilize the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ODA (ODA) system.
The desks, chairs and blackboards donated by Meiji were carried into the classroom, and the children were delighted.
On October 9, the delivery ceremony was held. Many customers attended, including the Embassy of Japan in Ghana and the Education Agency. Meiji officers were greatly applauded by the villagers for their comments on the importance of Ghanaian cocoa and the further strengthening of relations between Meiji and Aserawadi villages. We also donated cocoa arts created in September to the elementary schools.
Traditional festivals were also held on the day of the festival, and the tranquil village was usually surrounded by loud cheers and excitement.

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  At the classroom

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  Primary school signage

Donated Village Resource Centers

Since 2009, Meiji has been donating wells and mosquito nets to villages in areas where traceable cocoa beans are purchased. In August 2013, we donated a Village Resource Centre (VRC) to Himann Village, a purchasing area in western Ghana.
VRC is a renovated container. It has a personal computer inside. Using that personal computer, cocoa farmers can view and learn from programs on cultivation techniques. In addition, VRC is adjacent to junior high schools, and junior high school students can also learn to operate PCs.

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  Billboard for the Village Resource Center

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  Students of neighboring junior high schools also use it for learning

Elementary school under construction

Construction of elementary schools is proceeding smoothly. We plan to build foundations and walls with cement, and the roofing will be slate roofing. Meiji is also preparing to produce the equipment to donate. The carpenters are moving forward with construction work at a rapid pace so that they can stay in the field and meet the start of the new school season.

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  Construction of an elementary school

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  Signage of the elementary school construction project

Elementary school students create cocoa Arts

A special class on cocoa arts was held for two days for 100 elementary school students in Aserawadi village. First, they drew a tree of cocoa and pasted cut pictures of cocoa pods, animals, houses, etc. around it. Cocoa pods looked at what they had picked in a nearby farms and painted them colorfully. The six pictures drawn by the children were decided to be decorated in a new elementary school. The children were also overjoyed to receive face painting after the class.

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  Children drawing enthusiastically

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  Completed cocoa artwork

Decided to build an elementary school

It was decided that a new elementary school would be built in the village of Aserawadi in the Meiji cocoa purchasing area. We realized through tenacious approaches by utilizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ODA (ODA) system.
We decided to donate equipment such as learning desks and chairs to a new elementary school. Attended the signing ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Ghana in January. This scene was widely featured on local television and in newspapers. "The hoe-in ceremony" was carried out at the planned construction site of the elementary school.

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  Signing ceremony at the Embassy of Japan in Ghana

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  Pledging ceremony at the planned site of construction

Donation of wells

Meiji donated three new wells to cocoa purchasing area. Meiji donated four wells, together with wells in the village of Asalawadi in 2009. Meiji employees visited the site, and in every village the well was very pleased.
Utilization of wells will lead to a drastic reduction in water drawing work in rivers, which is mainly regarded as the role of women and children.

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  Billboard for the Du Waranton village well

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  Duwarrant Pont village well

Donating chocolates and calendar

Meiji employees visited Aserawadi Village. Villagers always welcome us with a smile. This time, we handed a chocolate made by using traceable beans purchased from the area to each child. We also donated a calendar made with the photographs taken during the previous visit. The wells in the village have become indispensable to the life of the village, and they are managed by the people in charge.

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  Donated calendar

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  With children in front of elementary school

Participated in traditional local festivals and held an award ceremony for Cocoa Art Contest

Meiji employees were invited to a traditional festival held annually in the village of Aserawadi. At the festival, we held an award ceremony for Cocoa Art Contest, which we had previously drawn. Prizes include pastel crayon, sketchbooks, etc.
In addition, the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11 attracted considerable interest even in the village, and we received the flag of Hinomaru where the cheering message of "Good luck in Japan! Meiji!" was written.
The well, which we donated in 2009, was used greatly by the villagers, and we were thankful that "it helps us because we don't have to go to a distant brook to fetch water."

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  Lively parade

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  Awarded as “Meiji Prize” for the best work

We donate chocolates and stationery, "Cocoa Painting Contest" held

Employees from Meiji visited the village of Aserawadi again. We brought chocolates from Japan made by hand with cocoa bean produced in the area. It was greatly appreciated by the villagers. The children were handed stationery and soccer balls. We also had about 100 people to draw pictures of cocoa in order to get people interested in cocoa farming. The children smiled all the way. We also planted cocoa seedling.

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  Drawing a picture of cocoa under the guidance of the teacher

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  Cocoa seedling planted on a village farm

Donation of wells, mosquito nets, etc.

Cocoa production is the most significant industry in Western Ghana's Aserawadi village in our purchasing area. Meiji donated wells and mosquito nets that had been strongly requested by the village. All the villagers participated and a well donation ceremony was held on a grand scale. The moment water was pumped out, many cheers were excited. In addition, mosquito nets are used in each household to prevent malaria.

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  Moment that water is pumped out of the well for the first time

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  Mosquito nets for malaria control