Caribbean African Agricultural Network: CiBEXO

COCOA INTERNATIONAL BEAN EXCHANGE ORGANIZATION 'CiBEXO'

As a subsidiary of the Caribbean Agricultural Network, in 2014, the CiBEXO GROUP – Dominica was formed to establish a strategic alliance with CiBEXO GROUP – USA led by Eric Reid of SPAGnVOLA to share in the philosophy of corporate social responsibility in empowering underserved cocoa producing communities, and broadly disseminating information and competence in agriculture, agro industry, and sustainable development education.

The objective of the alliance was to set up cocoa farmer partnerships using a vertically integrated “crop-to shop” model which endeavors to bring fine flavored premium dark chocolate to the world, with significant added benefits to the cocoa farmers. The process would be to engage in upstream and downstream value adding systems, craft a cocoa agro industry to spotlight the best cocoa beans the world can produce, and the chocolate products made in our factory. We are committed to farmer education and empowerment, while encouraging farmer-student alliances, to broaden the appeal of high tech cocoa cultivation that embraces the most advanced scientific methods.

In an effort to activate the vertical integration process, a series of events were engaged commencing with Phase 1 as folllows:-

The design for the construction of the required fermentation boxes for the post harvest handling of a specified quantity of cocoa beans.
Work with stakeholders on the ground to establish infrastructure for collecting cocoa pods, extracting beans with pulp, transporting to fermentaries. In addition, provide oversight on future cultivation efforts for continuous sustainability and growth of Dominica cocoa
Create policy and procedures for handling all aspects of CiBEXO on the farm management for traceability and Quality Assurance Audits
CGD will be responsible for appointing and managing Quality Assurance Auditors to conduct independent audits throughout the lifecycle and report all activities back to CGD.

Pilot the CiBEXO Proof of Concept
Provide Artisan Chocolate Training – Building Stakeholders for project success
Subsequent to Phase 1 , supervise Build Out and assist with the management of a World Class Chocolate processing facility
Supervise Science & Technology Research Center
Supervise Boutique Build Out
Establish Licensing Agreement for joint venture enterprises

The following set of photographs represent the application and response of the Dominican cocoa farmers, students at the Dominica State College, officials of the Division of Agriculture, representatives of the Government of Dominica, other private and public sector persons, bean purchase, fermentation, drying and field related activities.

Phase 1 - Dominica visit from February 10 to February 24, 2015