Despite producing some of the finest cocoa beans in the region, farmers belonging to the Semliki Cooperative Union had failed to gain access to the high-end specialty cocoa markets. Poor practices during harvesting, fermentation, drying, and storage were letting the farmers down.
When they secured a United States African Development Foundation (USADF) grant and business development services from Uganda Development Trust, their fortunes significantly changed. The grant was used to address the said challenges. Members’ incomes have not only doubled, but they are now exporting cocoa to high-paying specialty markets in Europe.
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