News Analysis: Fiji Farmers Favor Cocoa Future with additional impetus from the Government. A $300,000.00 Fiji Grant to increase Cocoa growing along with higher Commodity prices help the farmers. $5,000.00 a Metric Ton (2,205 Pounds) is allegedly being paid to some Cocoa Farmers for Dried Cocoa Beans.
Cocoa, being a Seasonal Crop, needs attention to maximize yields during its growth. An addition of fertilizers as well as effective Pest Abatement and Disease Eradication will help insure quality production.
The Cocoa Harvesting Process is simple enough: Cocoa Trees grow ‘Pods’ which contain the Cocoa Beans. These “Football” looking Pods are cut from the trees and sliced open revealing the beans. Each Pod contains up to Fifty of the Green-colored Cocoa Beans. The Chemical Conversion process of Bean Fermentation takes about a week after the beans have been spread over large areas and Solar Heated. During the process the Beans convert themselves to a Brown coloration. Evaporation of water occurs in the brown beans prior to shipment. Approximately Two Metric Tons of Green Cocoa Beans dry down to One Ton of Fermented Brown Cocoa Beans.
Investors may want to consider Cocoa Bean Farming in Fiji. A Receptive Fijian Government is a Big Asset in establishing a new Business or buying into an existing one.
Reference: http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2013/12/10/momentum-increases-to-grow-cocoa-industry/