--- Fulgence N'Guessan, President of the Kavokiva Board

In the Gouro language of the Haut Sassandra region in southeast Côte d’Ivoire, Kavokiva means “we come together”. And that is exactly what more than 600 farmers did when they founded the Coopérative Agricole Kavokiva de Daloa in 1999.

Côte d’Ivoire is known for its high-quality cocoa and more than 40% of the country’s cocoa is produced in the region of Daloa, home of Kavokiva. Ravaged with political upheaval and financial crisis, Côte d’Ivoire is one of the world’s poorest countries. The region of Daloa is made up of rural villages where cocoa is the main source of cash income for most farmers, many of whom also grow robusta coffee. Fruit and vegetables are grown for home consumption and women sell bananas and other crops at the local market.

The region of Daloa has poorly maintained roads, many villages have no electricity, and drinking water only available from the village well. Access to healthcare is inadequate and the nearest clinic or hospital can be more than 10km away. The illiteracy rate among agricultural communities is as high as 95%, with many schools poorly equipped and too far away for children to attend each day.

Kavokiva’s mission is to improve the social and economic position of its members by supporting the production and marketing of their cocoa and coffee. This includes paying a higher price for members’ beans than local traders and providing credit for farm inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, school fees, and medical expenses.

Of the 800 or so cooperatives in the country’s cocoa and coffee sectors, Kavokiva has a reputation with the government and others as one of the strongest in terms of its administrative structure, the quantity and quality of its cocoa, and the support and services provided to members. Kavokiva presently has over 6000 members.

The Fair Trade price has enabled Coopérative Agricole Kavokiva de Daloa to establish various social and productive programs

Education.
Kavokiva distributes scholarships to member's children so that they may attend school. The co-op also purchased supplies for remote schools.

Productive Investment.
Kavokiva hired a qualified agronomist.

Environment.
The cooperative will promote conservation through community education and power-saving technology. Kavokiva is in process of initiating an organic conversion program.

Credit Program.
The cooperative will augment savings accounts for its farmers.

Health.
The association built a healthcare center for members and a mid-wife center in Gonaté, and provides members with health care and affordable medicines. Kavokiva has also constructed three new wells.

Womens Programs.
The association operates a women's literacy program.