FairTrade Producer Story
By FairTrade America
Producer’s name: Dah Oho
Location: Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Co-op name: ECAKOG
Commodity: Cocoa
“My name is Dah Oho. I am a farmer at ECAKOG. I am 32 years old. I am married and I have 4 children. Since 2005 I started with cocoa farming. Until 2011 I planted cocoa trees and today I take care of the field. For me, cocoa is very good and is my main source of income. Its cultivation enables me to take care of my children. I can send them to school and they can be treated when they are sick. So cocoa is very important for me and my family.
For me, Fairtrade ensures fair trade in cocoa. This association wants both cocoa producers* and cocoa buyers or processors, but above all owners of the chocolate industry, to be satisfied. The goal is to create a win-win situation for all sides.
Thanks to Fairtrade, we now have our water tower, which is located on the side of the road. We no longer lack clean drinking water. We also receive bonuses. And I now have the possibility to take out a loan from the cooperative if I don't have enough money to register my children at school when I start school.
Before joining the cooperative I had many difficulties. Everything is getting better and better since I joined the cooperative. A lot has changed and I am very happy about it.
Before joining the cooperative I had many financial problems. Today I don't have to manage everything alone, because the cooperative supports me, especially in the care of my cocoa plantation. I also always get my money after the sale. I can then take good care of my children. Today, I am not forced to borrow money from someone else so that my children can go to school.
But the situation has changed with Fairtrade, the cooperative, or with good farming practices and I get much more today. That's why I'm so happy that Fairtrade accompanies and supports us.
I would like my children to go on to school, study, and get jobs. And I personally want to run my own business alongside cocoa farming in order to earn more money. Because I want to have a house built. [Laughter]. Just that! That's the main thing for me and that's what's close to my heart. When I get enough money, I will have a house built. Like I said, I also want to be a businesswoman. And the children should get jobs in the future, so that we all don't suffer, but live a happy life.”