A new partnership between Federated Commodities PLC (FEDCO) and SUDEN Company is turning cocoa waste into opportunity in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District, with cocoa pods now being used to produce plywood for school furniture.
Under the initiative, cocoa pods—usually discarded after harvesting—are being processed into plywood to manufacture desks for five schools in the district.
The District Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Hon. Isaac Yawson, described the project as a game-changer for local farmers.
In an interview, he said the move will allow cocoa farmers to earn additional income beyond the sale of beans, as FEDCO has begun purchasing cocoa pods for processing.
He added that the initiative could also help curb illegal chainsaw activities in forest reserves, as the cocoa pod plywood offers an alternative material for furniture production. According to him, this could lead to more affordable plywood on the market.
Hon. Yawson commended FEDCO and SUDEN for selecting Twifo Praso as the first beneficiary of the initiative, noting its potential to transform livelihoods in the area.
The Chief of Twifo Kayireku, Nana Kwame Bedduo II, whose community benefited from the distribution of the desks, also praised the companies for the intervention. He called for the establishment of a processing plant in Twifo Praso to further boost local incomes and create jobs.
Providing further details, FEDCO’s District Officer for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Mr. Richard Boateng, explained that the concept stems from research conducted by SUDEN, which confirmed that cocoa pods can be converted into plywood.
Following the findings, the company began sourcing pods from farmers in Twifo Praso, leading to the production of desks now supplied to schools in the district.
Mr. Boateng noted that FEDCO’s decision to purchase cocoa pods alongside beans marks a significant shift in the cocoa value chain.
He added that the initiative could also help reduce illegal mining activities, as residents now have an alternative source of income by collecting and selling cocoa pods.