A four-day training which started with a virtual session (29th, 1st and 4th October 2021) and ended with a practical session for Cocoa Cooperatives organized by the Center for the promotion of imports from developing countries (CBI) in collaboration with the Produce Monitoring Board on Cocoa Quality Management was held at Albertson Hall in Kenema.
The training was to enable Cocoa Cooperatives to understand Cocoa Contract using the FCC Rules, Shipment practice, Quality definitions and cut-test analysis so that they can conduct effectively international cocoa trade.
The training attracted thirty (24) participants from fifteen (15) Cocoa Cooperatives drawn from CBI and ITC mentoring cooperatives that are willing and ready to go export. Among which were two (2) women and twenty-four (22) Men. Also, there were three journalists and four PMB staff that facilitated the practical session.
The Director (Didan Sankoh) whilst granting an interview with journalists emphasized PMB’s interventions in ensuring the enhancement of quality in the Cocoa value chain that will bring economic benefits to farmers and the country by extension. He also highlighted the various accolades Sierra Leone has gained for the past few years in the international market through the various Cocoa Quality pieces of training organized by the Produce Monitoring Board and its partners.
The Consultant hired by CBI was Graham Laird who facilitated the virtual training sessions was also virtually linked to the practical exercise.
The practical session was facilitated by the PMB Quality Control Manager, Abdul Qadir Turay and the Quality Control Supervisor Osman Alpha Kargbo and supervised by the Director, Didan Sankoh. The participants were divided into five (5) groups after a practical demonstration by the quality Control Manager and Supervisor. The training ended after the evaluation of the group exercise.