As expert in circular economy and sustainability in the cocoa sector,our Founder Dayog KABORE was honored to be invited by International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) to the 2024 World Cocoa Conference in Brussels, Belgium, as Lead Panelist. I presented on: Sensorial and Nutraceutical Quality Attributes – Seizing Opportunities with Innovative Cacao-fruit-based Products that address 4 fundamental issues: Health, Fairness, Ownership and Sustainability. Based on his experience with our innovations within AFOODS® Group , his talk touched on the possibilities of developing and successfully marketing new, INNOVATIVE products (that are based on traditional know-how) using the nutrients as well as health-promoting and sensory aspects of the cacao fruit (and not only cocoa) to provide cocoa farmers with an additional source of income and thus generate demand not only in the traditional markets, but above all in new markets.
Dayog KABORE also emphasized the need for a system that clarifies the question of ownership of knowledge, transparency, and traceability from the very beginning, so that the cocoa farmers really benefit from all these new and innovative products (because they are the inspiration). Otherwise, the big players will continue to profit from these innovations. And the farmers’ share of the cocoa cake will remain very insignificant, regardless of the size of the cocoa cake. A panel discussion followed his presentation, featuring experts from Africa, Europe and Latin America who shared insights on the importance of fair participation of cocoa farmers.
