Cadbury to pour millions into Ghana

Chocolate maker Cadbury Schweppes announced today it would spend millions over the next few years to boost cocoa yields and to improve the lives of cocoa farmers, a move intended to guarantee a long-term supply of the most important ingredient used in its signature candies.

The investment will affect an estimated 1 million cocoa farmers located primarily in Ghana, but also in India, Indonesia and the Caribbean, all nations where Cadbury gets the most important ingredient in its candies.

Research by Sussex University in England, which was funded by the candy maker, has shown that the average production for a cocoa farmer has dropped to only 40% of potential yield and that cocoa farming has become less attractive to the next potential generation of farmers.

The money Cadbury plans to spend on schools, libraries and wells is intended to attract the next generation to cocoa farming.

"In Ghana, there is a phrase 'Coco obatanpa,' which means 'Cocoa is a good parent. It looks after you,'" James Boateng, managing director, Cadbury Ghana, said in a statement.

"We hope with this initiative, Cadbury and our partners can be a good parent to cocoa," he said.