(Business in Cameroon) - According to Pim Van de Langenberg, head of the Dutch company, Theobroma, this cocoa trader turned cocoa product manufacturer in 2006 (cocoa powder, cocoa butter and cocoa paste known under the name “Tulip cocoa”) is launching a project which will enable the production of 4,000 tonnes of certified cocoa. The two-year project will consist of framing the activities of 2,500 farmers in the production zones of the Centre region, namely Monatélé, Obala, Goura and Bafia.

Pim Van de Langenberg stated that “a development centre will be created in which farmers will be exposed to instruments that will help them to meet quality standards by the correct usage of phytosanitary products, instruction in drying techniques, fermentation and cocoa purchasing.”

Worth a total of approximately 393 million FCfa (600,000 euros), this project provides farmers with direct financing support for pre and post-harvest. The Netherlands, which consumes 70% of Cameroonian cocoa, according to official figures, will ban uncertified cocoa by 2020.