Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – May 1, 2025 – A three-day workshop on Cocoa Postharvest Processing and Quality Management, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, successfully trained 47 local stakeholders including farmers, processors, and extension officers.
The training, held from March 17–19, 2025, forms part of FAO’s “Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries – Phase III” and aligns with the Strengthening the Foundations for a Specialty Cocoa Sector in the Caribbean Project.
Led by FAO Cocoa Postharvest Specialist Ms. Sarah Bharath, participants gained technical knowledge on fermentation, drying, and storage best practices while engaging in dynamic discussions on cocoa genetics, soil health, and sustainable management. A major highlight included a field visit to Cocoa Kalinago, where participants experienced firsthand artisanal chocolate production led by founders Andrew and Delphine Hadley.
Cocoa farmer Mr. Benson Stapleton shared, “I learned that scent and taste of cocoa depend on how it’s grown and processed. I didn’t realize the impact of the environment.”
Agro-processor Ms. Dollis Alexander, owner of Touch of Dawn, praised the workshop: “The training was timely and interactive. My appreciation for cocoa processing as a wholesome, income-generating activity grew immensely.”
FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Specialist Anne Desrochers concluded, “The workshop strengthened technical capacity across the cocoa value chain—from soil to postharvest—and fostered a strong network of informed stakeholders in the region.”