Digitized Cocoa Economy.

We had exported  cocoa from 2008 to 2013, to Europe and Asia, we share our experience . We were faced with these challenges;

1x bag of export  quality cocoa earn USD$ 67.50 weighing 62.5 kilogram, USD$ 1.08 per kilogram and a ton for USD$ 1,080. We were trading

 through brokers. Later  we learnt  that prices were exceptionally low.

The Cocoa Pod Borer  attacked  our blocks devasticated farms reducing  our cocoa production  and collapsed the industry. However  intervention of the World  Bank  and GoPNG on 2016 to 2019 increased our cocoa Production to1000 tons annually.. That  we are  trading  locally.

From the experience  of trading, we needed to develop a transparent and effective  cocoa value chain and that is where the Digitization of the Cocoa  Economy is our MIT SOLVE  Solution.

The global cocoa industry is seeking for more transparency and traceability along the chain. This relates to a growing need for evidence on quality, origin and sustainability claims. As a result, there is an increasing need for information from all actors along the chain, including cocoa producers and exporters.

The gathering, monitoring, and storing of information along the chain is increasingly managed digitally. There is a fast-growing range of digital solutions and tools that help gather information to guarantee sustainable sourcing, facilitate market linkages, improve productivity, competitiveness and/or help protecting the environment.

Cocoa producers increasingly benefit from the use of digital tools and access to information aimed at improving various internal processes as well as decision-making. At farm level, digital support tools may help you to apply fertilisers at the right time and can provide information on (changing) weather patterns and how to respond to them.

Digitalisation has benefits beyond the farm level. For instance, access to digital information may provide buyers with unique information on production and origin, which may encourage them to source cocoa from specific small-scale farmers.

Tools can provide producers and exporters with the opportunity to share more specific information about their products and practices. This may also increase their chances of securing access to financing and insurance. Lastly, technology facilitates the direct linkage of small-scale producers to the entire value chain and buyers.

There are many digital tools available, all with different applications and objectives. Therefore, it is crucial to identify our needs before deciding on using or investing in any tool.

The nine tips of that will be adopted.

1. Understand what digitalisation can do for you
2. Use data and digital tools to improve cocoa farming practices
3. Improve your internal processes by using digital tools
4. Increase traceability by joining blockchain initiatives
5. Use digital tools to increase access to financial services
6. Increase your market attractiveness through digital experiences
7. Monitor and improve your quality with digital support
8. Use digital marketplaces to optimize your marketing
9. Connect with organisations that help you embark on your digitalisation journey

Digitization of the Cocoa economy transforms the Cocoa Industry and revolutionilize the socio economic livelihoods  and secured education and health  needs  of our rural population. 

The core of the challenges is for  increased  household  assets  to minimize the incidence  of poverty, Food Security, Gender participation, Good education  and improved  health  and minimizing  discrimination and justice  to all. Our environment  is protected and conserved through adopting Climate  smart Agriculture Systems. 

From a self a determination platform with this Cooperative  Society  movement, we have existed since 2007 after being legally registered. We never looked back  from a primary  producer  Cooperative  to a cocoa exporter. We have sailed through stormy  times  however  globalization through our cocoa  export  business exposed us. Our cultural bondage of mutual understanding and united for common goals  are our ethnical strengths. The digitized  economy builds innovation profiling  information for transparency enabling informed decision making. Being transparent from our digitized economy developing database of our farms, the size per house hold, the performances of cocoa trees in the farms, soils type, production output, the bean  fermentation and drying,  the type of dryers, the storage on farms sites, the fuel used, sunny days, transportation  to the main warehouse shed for inspections, grading and fumigation for exports are made known to our stakeholders whom we trade with.  This data is compiled  for verifications, certifications   and tracking. Our cocoa has an origin story for further Fairtrade  certifications organically.

The Middle Ramu District encompasses  four LLGs of which two geograghically accept  cocoa. The Digital Economy now being proposed  is ideal to link the Cooperatives and farmers  in this two LLGs. The Society is centered at the Ramu river for  accessibility where bulk of the clusters produce  their cocoa.

The core of our solution is the digitized  transformation by which the digital refers to the technology and the transformation of the service or business. This innovations replaces  old versions with new upgraded verson compatible to our needs. The Global positioning systems is introduced  to locate  establishments  of cluster farms, sheds, routes of movement. Advanced  technology can be adopted through the  use of drawns as escort for transportations of goods and services to and fro.  There is a sharing  economy  between sellers, business, buyers, freighters, quality controllers and legislators. The aggressive use  of data is transforming business models,facilitating  new products for our cocoa confectionary products, creating new processes, generating greater  utility and ushering on the new culture of Management. The solution is adding value  for the sustaining the operations of the digitized  economy.

Within our operations, the digitized  economy enables  markets, creates employment, investments opportunities, value  adding, international trade, e commerece and productivity  growth. Our biggest challenge experience until now is the  Digital Divide. The gap between us as we do not have  access to  Digital  technology  and those  have  accesses to technology. 

What is meant by digital economy?

 refers to the use of information technology to create or adapt, market or consume goods and services. Digital novelties include digital banking, e-commerce, virtual education, smartphone apps and collaboration platforms. 

9 tips to go digital in the cocoa sector https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

The Middle Ramu Cooperative  Society hails from the Middle Ramu District of Madang province. Legally registered  and  operated as a cocoa exporter  from 2008 to 2013 however scaled down from nation wide epidemic of the Cocoa Pod Borer.

Our target  population is;

Middke Ramu District  has four Local  Level  Government's and two LLGS grow cocoa. The two are Arabaka  and Joseohstaal. Arabaka has 21,840  people while Josephstaal has 19 678  popultation with a total of 41,518. The other two LLGs  of Simbai and Kovon grow coffee. 

Wards in Arabaka  directly  involved and located accessibly to the  use of the Ramu river are; wards 3,4,5,6 7 8 9,10,11,12,13,14,15, 34 and 28. The total population  of the 15 wards out of 34 wards is 10,231is oyt target group while the 11,609 reached from our  proposed  digitized solutions the linkages. they live in the hinterlands  from the banks of the Ramu river.  

The 650 model farmers were selected  from cluster groups from the 8 wards of Arabaka LLG that include wards; 9,10,11,12,13,34,14 and 15 with a total  population of 6,669

From this 650 model blocks, a total of 170,000 cocoa clones  were developed at 200 clones per model  farmer per cluster. A total of 272 hectares  developed with production increased  to 544 tones annually of which we are  in the process  of renewing our export cocoa license with the Cocoa  Board  of Papua  New Guinea to export our cocoa from the District. The District cocoa production has now increased to 1000 tons. These Cocoa will now be processed  adding value  to cocoa liquor  to be further  pressed  to Cocoa  butter and powder. The income generated  from the sale of these added value products  empowers the Society to reach out to the population not currently  touched. 

Our Solutions of developing a digitized  economy  compliments  along with adding value  from the current conventional systems to innovarive confectionary  products  for investments sustainability.

The digitized economy is creating  an opportunity  for  our members who graduated as engineers, Agriculturalist, accountants and Food technologist  to be employed. These  learnt  people will take the lead in adopting  digitized  solutions hence capitalizing  to build a vibrant institution  for further collaborations with stakeholders  like the banks, software owners, the cocoa business world and the governments. The Society  has literally created an evionment  for freedom to ownership and partnership to primary producers  to actively  involve within  the Society environment in leading  our destination. Hence therefore  the relations within the communities and the government's District  Administration is conductive  to develop our digitized  platforms . The digitized  economic solutions is an innovative  that we are seeking to adopt  for our enhancements  and the outcomes  from this  solutions strengthens framework  in today's  world of business. The Society as such needed special  considerations  for linkages, Partnerships and empowerment  from MIT SOLVE to come to our empowerment  with her diversity and global  linkages.

We are not relying on MIT SOLVE linkages alone, we are  looking at Partnerships and equity  arrangement in delivering  our solutions. 

The implementation of digital tools can be a crucial step in monitoring and improving the internal processes of our cocoa business. By collecting accurate information about our business,   track the activities happening on the farm, control the internal management system, connect with model farmers and cluster groups, as well as monitor sales. With digitalisation and digital tools, you can also connect and compare information from different business areas to identify which areas need improvement.

The digital  economy is to be adopted  by engineers in Communication to develop a vibrant enabling system establishing the foundation for growth. We have Electrical and Communication graduate engineer who will lead  us in developing the digitized  solutions. 

Our  communities from where we are linked  are participated through market access, improved capacities and triggered  through  spin  offs in the SMEs.

Within the local communities, farmers  are grouped  in cluster orgions  within  tribes  and clans in their local level  Government wards from our Arabaka Local Level Government. These clusters make up the groups who are members of the Society. Our other linkages  are Cooperrative Societies from within the District  as well as from  Madang Province. Cluster groups are formed within cultural settings appointing their Clan Leader as the Authorithy over the clans  from where the Society  intervine to do  situations  analysis  to develop Resource Develoment Plans. Land is then mapped, land use plans is put in place for cluster group. There is land for hunting, gardening, plots for cocoa or other  cash crop  developed. These systems are  documented identifying the SWOT of each cluster.

Effective  digitized  data base developed with respective  producer  be tracked  collecting the required data.The clusters from their capacity are encouraged  to register formal  SME  venturing into other income generating activities in raising  smsll  animals like chickens and piggerry. Women  in sewing, crafting  items  and cooking and baking.

Informal creation of employment for the cluster  members  with work on their farms and SMEs.  Contracts offered by the  Society to clusters with increased  prices. There is  security within livelihoods well fare where families  can afford  for  good housing, balanced  nutritional meals, secured financially  to meet health  and educational  fees, there is no injustice, families live a secured life  minimizing  poverty levels. Indicators of the SDGs are  improved. From well developed digitized  system in place also for our stakeholders like banks to retrieve  the information  for financial  services.

The digitized  economy further opens up the framework structures for the benefit  of the Society throuch;Communications,Collaborations ,Innovation in linking household, industry stakeholders and the governments. 

Analyzing the gaps  and working towards  narrowing  the gaps through monitoring  and evaluation  is effective  through Digitization.

We have this  challenges as our cocoa farms developed in 2016 to 2019 are not effectively  monitored  now unless we have digitized system in place.

Households  are benefactors of the systems of the business and  linkages while he government issues licenes and creates  conducive  environment and foreign  sector comes in with new interventions from innovations, market development and opportunities.

The Middle Ramu Cooperative Society  is from the Middle Ramu District, one of the administrative  Districts  of Madang province of Papua New Guinea.  The Society is a stakeholder holder in implementing  government policies in the District and the country.

We have been a driving  force  within our liberation  to  strive  in the world  of Agriculture  Economy more  through our strong driven  attributes  of being self reliant. Our Cocoa  Export businesses  was in operations from  our financing of broker's who took opportunities to their  advantages  of our market illiteracy and nativity in general.

We  have our issues that needed interventions from like minded  organizations  that live and walk their principles. We have in our own cultural  inheritance  had protected  our environment  for  future generations therefore we are driving  the UN global sustainable  Goals.

We see MIT SOLVE as our hope to open up the world  to us for our equity  in leveraging the global sustainable  development  goals.

We are  working  with 650 model farmers  from our targeted  benefactors  of over 10,000 people along  the Ramu river 

I see that SOLVE has the mentor to establish a relationship  to intervine  in strengthening  relations as a pilot project  in the upscaling  of our models  in processing, development, marketing, branding  and developing value chain  of our products  globally.

We are into our cocoa market businesses  locally  and now we needed to grow the business  in  developing the  cocoa value chain.

 We are  also planning to invest in processing  cocoa liquor adding value to our cocoa products through globalization  and developing market  opportunuities needed  external  partner like  MIT SOLVE in the relationship. We are creating this link for a shared  obligations with a Global partners that has vast experience  in  building  capacity  of emerging  small economies like the Middje Ramu Cooperative Society.

While  this is our first  time to go out off shore to seek collaborations for empowerment, we have  own settings  in country  that we are limited  to opportunities that can be linked to opened  up opportunities  in the last  10 years or so. Although  we were trading cocoa beans, our capacity  building opportunities  is there but we were limited  to be linked with. Opportunities  for  building  a digitized  cocoa economy that  is seen a way forward to upscale  to the next level  for duplication by other  sister  Cooperatives.  We are model for Cooperative  Society  to come out in meeting  the global  Standards.  

From Agriculture  Landscaping  adopting Climate  Smart  practices mitigating  Climate  resilience at the same time sustaining  our livelihoods has been our practice  for the last ten years. With changing global climate  patterns forcing  environmental  turbulence, a shared  interest  concerned can be considered  in selecting  our upscaling  project  concept here.

Our immediate  settings is along the river system :as the banks, valleys and plateau  are rich in  soils and good Agriculture farm land. We only  plant our cocoa under regrowth along the Ramu river with vast  forest untouched.

We needed  the support for:

- upscaling  to be more competitive  and successful  getting our cocoa  to consumers who can taste our cocoa grown from  natural  environmental  ecocsystem that is virgin and pure and the purest of our cocoa can be a niche market developing a brand.

- We needed to develop and adopt  new matrix systems for financial investments, monitor  our systems linking our farmers who currently  are literally  not exposed  and do not have the liberty  to speak  for  fairness and justice.

- We can be a model   for replications of our story  to other rural Cooperatives  in PNG and the region who are engaged in similar  settings in Craft Associations, Fisheries and Coffee Cooperatives.

World  Bank and GoPNG invested to increase  production at farm levels however yet to  develop structures for  processing  and developing effective value  chains. We therfore live all odds  behind moving forward from our incentives. Proponents benefitted  through  the World Bank cannot benefit  again and that has denied the next  upscaling

MIT SOLVE  being technology  based  institution and backed  up by the MIT university  has the  bank of knowledge  that can be shared for innovation and  development.

The  structural components in the link  below for the cocoa economy fits in with this link https://www.cbi.eu/market-info  embraces our proposed solution of our digitized Cocoa  Economy  in moving into  new dimension  scaling  of the operations  of the Society to the Competitive advantage in the Cocoa Economy within our country. 

The solutions build  systems of orgnzation governance,  Stakeholders  confidence,  financial opportunities for borrowing  and credit worthiness, From farm levels , production is increased, internal  intelligence systems  are  adopted,  new and improved systems are adopted.

Improved  structures  build confidence  for Stakeholders  intervention  on building  capital  investments  like  roads  an bridges.

 The digitized  Cocoa Economy  is Managed  on top of the finger tip of the Cooperative employees from Improved capacities  and digitized  networking  of the organizations  systems.  Satellite  GPS  are used  in where there  is no established  network  coverage..

Innovation attributed to the conventional  system's  to

1. Develoment of  data base - our core components in production from farms, the details of the  clusters, the markets, the finished products etc are developed on linked through  Digitized  solutions.

2.  Increased  Savings and  Borrowings. The Village banking Systems is an innovative in accessibility banking systems  that makes it more flexible  and reliable. Savings increases wealth in families who are illiterate  in savings and borrowings. 

3. Increased organizational capacity  into developing Governance  and procedures 

- the Coroporate  Governance structures enables the operations of the Society being prudent and meeting goals on serving  the members.

4. Developing Stakeholder trust and confidence.- loyalty  is compromised  with members and increased  reputations and productivity.

5. Going Innovations adding value to our Cocoa. A Milestone soluton in the industry  as only raw beans are exported out from the country  and  value  adding through industrialization  is change solutions through the cocoa economy. The Society  is taking a lead for replications.

6. Increased foreign reserves in the bank through our exports. In the country  perception, there is more foreign  liquidity  for trade.

7. Branding of  our Confectionery products  advertising  the products to be more  competitive  and having market space.

Market  value through  organic and Fairtrade certifications achieved through their tracebility  in branding.

Digitized  the financial  solutions is touching the central nervous system of the busuness as it captures electronically store  our data base that can be retrieved  when needed by us and Stakeholders. Development   plans, our own reporting, the GDP of the Disrict and note to that our Operstional  data is securely  kept for our day today operations.

Further empowerment through the theory  of  change  with one innovation builds  evionment  for an other innovation. Example in the world  of poverty;

1. Analyze the situation

2 . Clarify  the program  goal 

3. Design  the program/ product

4. Map the casual  pathway 

5.Identify the explicit assumptions 

6. Design specific, measurable, achievable, reliable  and time  bound  indicators 

7. The production or the solutions.

The situation of poverty develops a theory  of change  through  sectoral  approaches for  the well being of human in interactions  to the environment within which one is adjusted to choose for  survival.⁰

Impact Goals to be seen over the next  5 years. 2024 to 2029 from the current solutions  that we consolidated.  

The programs include; 

1. Upscaling of the Impact investment of the World Bank project  - 2016 to 2019,  Middle Ramu Cocoa Diversification & Marketing  Project.

The project had already established  structures for expansion of the Cocoa clone material  from the current 650 model farmers.  From the current levels of 544 from 650 model farmers invested  170,000 clones and adding on to the existing  production reached to 1000 tones produced  annually. The 650 model farmers  further  disseminate the learnt skills to two more model farmers  each  planting 200 clones total  400 clones per annum for year 1, 2024. And  every year 400 is planted  for five years as a target increase  Cocoa plantings  to (650 x 400 x 5 years = 1,300,000 trees) developing  2080 hectares  of land increasing production  to 4160 tons by 2029. Cocoa come into  full productions by 2032.

1. Economic value 

1.1 Cocoa Bean  Trading.

Current one ton sold at USD 2500X4,160 tones earns USD 10, 400,000 per year converted to PGK 39, 518,528 income year  2032.

1.2 Value of cocoa liquor  by 2024 from the current  1000 tons.

1 2.1 1000x beans process 80% liquor and 20% allowed for shells and offal. A total  of 800 tons liquor per year  @ USD 5,000 a ton earns USD 4000,000 converted to PGK 14,824,814.90 in 2024. The value  increases cumulatively for  five  years.

The cash flow has impacts  to

2. Education. -  The Society  invested in capital  investment in school  building schools structures while parents pays education fees their children.

3.  Health  - Families afford medical fees and  well secured to any turbulence  or emergencie from the cash earned from  cocoa.

4. Families Socioeconomic well fare   per families household increased , families are secured  financially to afford nutritional food, build Malaria  free homes and access clean water from rain engagements 

4. Environment Protection.

Farmers plant the cocoa  under  forest or shrubs without clearing the forest. This landscaping is to prevent cutting forest  

5. Economic Growth enabling more SMEs to narrow from increased cash flow.

There is significant  change in the  District from the cash flow of incomes  from  cocoa.

6.  Borrowing and investments from cluster  groups encouraged. Farmers  adopt the culture of savings sustainaining the  financial resources for the family needs.

7. The cocoa cash economy builds the economy  with transforms  economic infrastructure  as a stakeholder  in physical development needs of the communities.

Directly  encouraging  the producers who are faced and lived with these vulnerable  challenges  are to be linked for total  participation in the Digitized  Cocoa Economy. Our ethical  cultural  unity from our social  hierarchy  is our strength    when exposed  gives our prominence  and globalization. 

The digitizing Cocoa economy  is straterhic and worthy solutions  as it is the driving   enhancements to all stakeholders  in the industry  more in a community of cocoa as a family  relying from each  other  within the structural  circles locally and internationally.

SDG 1. Ending Poverty

Immediate  Target is the 650 model farmers who had developed 200 Cocoa clones in their blocks. 

Identifying adverse set backs and setting  core functional strategies guided for peace, prosperity, people and planet.Complex problems  faced  by farmers daily, their families are not forced labour, illicit  drugs etc. 

Indicators;

 Mophological  data is collected including qualitative and quantitative data of increased  production, income earned, house hold  income measured, savings and borrowings, sales  records progressively  recorded  and retrieved  when needed.

SDG 2 Zero Hunger - 

Taeget; The 650 farmers should not struggle  to feed every family member  their household. Alternate  food is secured.

Indicators. 

1. Increased  household hold items.

2. Increased meals  taken three times a day

3. Increased household  items readily  available  for preparing meals 

4. Secured incomes at the bank accounts .

5. Secured and safe place to store food leads to  safe, secured homes built.

SDG 5.Gender Equality

Target, 650 mothers to come out from identify  their opportunities within the Digitized  Cocoa Economy  to venture  into opportunities.

Women are directly  involved  into spin-off  and sustainability. 

Indicators. 

1. Number of women are  employed th Society 

2. Number of women can  bake  cakes  and  cook good dishes.

3. Number of women  raise smzll animals  like chicken farming.

4. Number of women formed  group savings groups.

5. Number of women leadership skills

6. Ñumbér of women are computer illiterate.

  SDG 8. Decent work and economic growth:

Target: Informal  and Formal employments within the operations of the Society, there is no forced labour, labor is shared between cluster members  of the model  l blocks.

The output  is measured  qualitatively and quantitatively.

Indicators 

1. Employment of People directly increased 

2. Number of SMEs increased, employments increased.

3.  New Skills and knowledge  is shared.

SDG 10. Reduce  Inequilaties;

Target: Having understood the principles and risks of reduced Inequilaties, inclusiveness  to all are linked through  their traditional  inherited  clan structures giving  opportunities to all families through our data base.

Indicators 

1. Increased  Peace and Justice in Society

2. Increased opportunities for  members of the Society 

3. Less destruction of environment  out of conflicts 

4.increased quality  of Life

SDG13. Climate Action.

Target;  landscaping us adopted through land use planning  and mapping. Smart Agriculture  farming systems are adopted  with  intercropping, cocoa under forest. Our actions continue for  clean, healthy  and safe ecosystems and biodiversity within  the environment we operate than contributing  to Climate  hazard.

Indicators ;

1. increased  Cocoa  Climate  Smart landscaping.

2.Increaed Fallow of land

3. Increased  Crop Rotational  Practices 

4. Increased  conservation  of land 

SDG 17; Partnerships for the Goals;  

Target;  linkages and partnersing for  common goal creates an environment for collaborations towards achieving the global  SDGs. The rural population under the  poverty lines needed  linkages opening opportunities to equally participate.

Indicators:

1. Increased  stakeholders linkages & relations with in the Partnerships.

2. Increased understanding  and  collaborations I towards  adopting the SDGs.

The  significance of the digitization solutions of the  Cocoa economy  is establishing road map from the current idle conventional system's to a innovative globalized  system that wiĺl integrate  pillars of the Digitized  Cocoa Economy. The Financial Digitized Solutions strengthens the Cocoa industry to an hidtiruc, dynamic  and a success  story. With solutions adopted by the  Middle Ramu Cooperative Society , she is strengthened to investigate, team up and collude with like minded stakeholders  who has common interest within their overall goals and strategies. Our story starts from our simple  local entity  to a global  competitive organization. As explained in the model framework below.

The theory  of change  is catalyzed as; inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes  and impacts.

 In this results, inputs are used in order to carry out activities. Activities lead to services or products delivered (outputs). The outputs start to bring about change (outcomes) and eventually this will (hopefully) contribute to the impact.

Inputs

LogFrame (Logical Framework): Planning and oversight tool consisting of indicators and milestones for key inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts.

In our case from simple cocoa farming to exporting  cocoa  to adding value enabling families increase house hold  assets  is the outcome in the Solution. The theory  of change  is managed along the  chain with various  log framework  described.

Inputs and outputs are similar in that they contribute to the desired outcome of the organization. The input is any step taken towards that goal, while the output is the production result of that input action. Inputs and outputs work together as cause and effect when achieving business goals.

An easy way to think of this is that outcomes are the results, and outputs are the activities that support the desired results. For example, a business outcome could be 'increased customer satisfaction'. An output that can help achieve this might be a responsive online ordering system.

Inputs ensure that it is possible to deliver the intended results of a project. Activities on the other hand are actions associated with delivering project goals. In other words, they are what your people do in order to achieve the aims of the organization or a project.

Outputs are a quantitative summary of an activity. For example, the activity is 'we planted 272 hectares of land and the output is  production increased to 544 tones. An output tells you an activity has taken place.

 Why is Theory of Change (TOC) Important? Theory of Change leads to better planning. TOC provides a basis for evaluation. Theory of change explains how the activities undertaken by an intervention contribute to a chain of results that lead to the intended or observed impacts.

the Digitized  Cocoa  Economy  to be adopted  by the  Society  is to develop a platform  for TOC on revolutionilization of the Society.

https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

Http;//www.engineeringfikids.com.8

The financial  digitized structurally closes or fills the gaps of the cocoa economy enabling  the system to be  compatible and accessible to use without fear and minimizes  risks.

Electronicaĺy managing the finances transactions  of the Cocoa  business is the core  of our solutions that Digitizing  Cocoa Econony is an innovation to boost the solutions.

Within the technology sector, we have computers  and mobile that are used for our operations. The most common platform  used communications platforms  like emails. WhatsAp, face book. 

The overarching  of our digtized economy is delivered from the 9 components can  be adopted in the link below.

9 tips to go digital in the cocoa sector  https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

Our elevated  pitch shows the video of our  proposed mini cocoa  processing plant processing 125kg/hour beans to 67 tons cocoa  liquor  that will be processed for further  pressing  into butter and cake  grounded  to powder.

We are looking  forward to connect with organisations that understand us that can built our digitalization journey to be diversified, compatible, friendly  to us and our stakeholders at large.

Implementing digital tools into our operations ystems requires time, money and dedication. There are many digital tools on the market, each with their own purpose. Always make sure to truly understand what a tool offers, and whether it can help us address our specific needs.

Given the importance of technology, many national and international companies and organisations include a digital component in their operations and that is where our solutions will lead us.

This theory  of change that we are seeking through MIT SOLVE is first of it's type that  this solutions through the partnership is seen the  hope  for  Society  and  Stakeholders. Importantly  the systems enables and build the ASSET base of the Society  embracing exposure for relationships globally especially  in advocating and adopting the SDGs.

 For instance, ECOM, Oikocredit, Grameen Foundation, and COSA developed a project in Ecuador seeking to improve the competitiveness of small-scale cocoa producers through access to precision agricultural technologies and innovative credit products. Another example is the COLCO project, developed by 12 companies from the United Kingdom and Colombia, which in part aims to support farmers, associations, cooperatives, independent traders, and large chocolate manufacturers through the development of technologies for processes like pre-harvest and quality assessment.

Also check out other international organisations, such as TechnoServe, Rikolto, Agriterra and Solidaridad, and see whether they offer assistance and practical guidance in your country when it comes to adopting digital tools. For instance, Rikolto is involved in a collaboration project dedicated to empowering Indonesian youths and communities through digital-based farming and agripreneurship, to innovate for a sustainable, profitable and inclusive cocoa value chain.

 Responsible digital payments aim for increased transparency, better access to information, financial inclusion, and higher incomes, especially for female cocoa farmers.

Locally from our own progress and surrounding, operational environment, we have linkages with the World  Bank office in PNG, World  Vision, the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea ??, the Government of PNG, the PNG Cooperative Society  Network and sister Farmer Association.

For our Cocoa adding value  project we have connections with Bear Mills Foodtech of Germany, the Artisans Australia  and markets  in Australia.

We are beginning to be exposed and looking forward to our relations  with MIT SOLVE.  We have been operating  through conventional simple emails and telephone and WhatsApp.

Digitalisation  globally in the Digitized  Cocoa Economy is needed to move us forward  and be more competitive. 

Adopting  the 9 strategies from the link below  is the applicable platforms to be intergrated and enhanced  for adoptation.

https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

https://www.claremontlincoln.e...

The Society has the experience I'm cocoa trading from our farmers  blocks  to our buyers in Europe and Asia.

We have decentralized structures that mobilize  stock to be freighted to main shed in  Madang town for inspections  and fumigation  and shipment  to our  buyers.  This systems needed to be digitized  for our empowerment operations locally and linkages  globally.

Below is an explanation of our Village bank initiated  by World  Vision  through  the ANCP Australian  NGO Cooperations  Program, under DFAT. The ANCP project was parrelly  implemented   with the World Bank PPAP project for farmers to start the  Village Savings  Groups  from incomes  earned from  cocoa. As a result  32 groups Village Savings Group were formed.

THE VILLAGE BANK SAVINGS GROUP MODEL ADOPTED BY 32 SAVINGS GROUP THAT  NEEDED FURTHER EMPOWERMENT.

Cluster Groups from same ethnical cultural settings  form a  savings groups. By laws are made by the group to govern the saving groups.  By laws include;

1. How often a savings group meeting is to  be held. 

2. Agreeing for an  amount of cash to be saved in every meetings  

3.Which member keeps the galvanized  savings box

4. Which two hold separate keys to open box

5.  The Chairman, the Secretary  and the treasurer  appointed 

6.  Pass book are issued to all members of the saving group to record  savings and credit of respective member.

7. Loan issued to a member if the savings group is monitored by the savings group  and discussed in their savings group meetings

8. Open up  account with  a commercial  Bank

9.Appointed three people to sign in the People's Micro  Bank  where savings in the wooden box are move to the bank for  deposits.

10.As a group  can get a loan for a bigger  capital  asset like a boat and outboard motor.

11. The rules are very strict  and becomes  a norm to the members. 

An amount  as agreed  for savings per meeting should consider  the case accessibility on the area. With the Cocoa  cash economy increased cash earned allows meetings to be conducted  every forthright  and if the all agreed to pay  PGK 100.00, then all must pay  K100. So in a month a single  member saves PGK 200 that is recorded  in his passion.

 The savings group is only for the savings  group members and graduate  (time appointed to exit) they distribute  the cash or start  al over again.

with this savings , they can build  a cocoa  dryers or expand their blocks or venture  into  SME.

The Savings groups  are still  in existences with  some graduated and already buying boats and outboard motors.

Accounts in the bank are put  for  safe Keeping. Double recording of the fund  as it also recorded  in respective  savings  group and entered in the pass book.

Our solution  if the digitized  Cocoa  Economy  will boost this Village Bank to  the next level.

Using digital  tools to increase access to financial services.

Securing loans and accessing financial services is often challenging for  cocoa  farmers like us. Risks related  to cocoa production, low financial literature and high transaction costs are seen as obstacles  to financial  services. To overcome these obstacles, the use of financial digital services is increasing  adopted  in some small holder cooperatives globally. As such digital inclusive finance are:

• Agri-wallet: This tool gives farmers, buyers and agro-stores easier access to financing from a global network of lenders. As a farmer, you will receive your income through your digital wallet, and you can use the money to purchase inputs like seeds and fertiliser from participating stores. This means that the money earned through the Agri-wallet can only be spent in the agricultural supply chain. You can also use the wallet for savings; the higher your savings, the higher the chance you are eligible for larger
• Farmerline: Farmerline connects farmers to financing through provision of innovative mobile technology across Africa. As a farmer, you are given digital identity cards that you can use for all transactions. Farmerline mainly offers farming supplies on credit to cocoa producers. The input credit service comes with a flexible repayment system that allows farmers to pay back any amount at any time during the season. Farmerline also offers training in agricultural practices, up-to-date weather forecasts and business tips, aiming to help farmers increase their yields.
• CocoaTrace (developed by Koltiva): With the mobile and web applications, cocoa smallholders, traders, the processing industry, as well as input suppliers and banks are connected though end-to-end traceability platforms. Through the app FarmCloud, a farmer can apply for a loan, while loan officers can assess creditworthiness based on the data stored in the app. Data in the cloud platforms are collected by traders, input suppliers, Koltiva field agents and extension officers.

The use of digital tools by financial institutions and lenders

A more traditional way to access finance in the cocoa sector is through microfinance institutions (MFIs). Examples of MFIs are Financiera Confianza (Peru), Advans (Ivory Coast) and Agronomika (Philippines.. Note that MFIs mainly channel credit to cocoa farmers through cooperatives or SMEs.

Many MFIs have embracedthe use if their financial service offer. Advans, for instance, works through digital banking services to reach clients, including cocoa farmers. This mobile service contains a current and savings account and other financial services such as access to digital school loans, and wallet to bank (or vice versa) transfer services.

9 tips to go digital in the cocoa sector https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

https://www.facebook.com/conne...

Adopting the Digitized  Economy is a dream come true, a plan that we have seeking opportunities to develop.

Through Digitization, the financial sector boosts innovation, entrepreneurship and our economy. It plays a key role in promoting   growth, pro employment and macroeconomics conditions.

Below presentations through  link https://itu.int/  can be adopted 

Ten benefits of digital financial management

Digital financial management can bring a lot of benefits to businesses. One of the key benefits is that it eliminates the need to print and store paper documents. We summed up the benefits of digital financial management for you. Read carefully and you can make your life easier in the future.

1. Access to real-time information

All information recorded in the financial management systems can be viewed in real time, which means that it can be used efficiently to support management and decision-making. Indeed, fast access to data provides businesses with tools for developing new ways to use information.

2. Better decision-making

When all the relevant financial information is easily accessible, decisions and solutions can be based on facts. Predicting future developments is easier, too. Thanks to easy access to information, your accountants can support you more efficiently.

3. Freedom

A digital financial management system is with you everywhere you go. You can perform everyday tasks and check reports when and where it suits you. All you need is an internet connection and a computer or mobile device. Many tasks can easily be done on a smartphone. At the same time, outsourcing financial management tasks to your accountants is also easier.

4. Ease and efficiency

With digital financial management, you can forget endless piles of paper. Many common tasks can be performed faster or even automated altogether. Receiving and sending invoices is a good example of such tasks. You no longer have to send invoices by post or spend time opening envelopes. Everything can be done with the click of a mouse. This means that you can focus on more important tasks, and it also helps to reduce costs.

5. Flexibility

Digital systems enable flexible collaboration and interaction with your accountants. Different tasks can be easily modified and reassigned. You can communicate flexibly and conveniently face to face, by email or phone, or via video conferencing.

6. Transparency of information

All financial management information is available to everyone who needs it. The availability and accessibility of the information can be restricted as necessary. This ensures security and prevents information overload.

7. Integration of financial management into other business operations

Financial management will no longer be a separate unit within the company. When everyone has access to all the relevant information, it can be used efficiently in all aspects of business. Using their expertise, your accountants can bring a much-needed financial perspective to your business’ decision-making processes.

8. Mobile working

Switching to digital financial management helps to make mobile working possible. When all the necessary information and tools can be accessed anywhere, there is no need to bring everyone together in the same place. This opens up new opportunities for managing work and allows for the organisation of work according to the needs of individual employees. This can significantly improve job satisfaction.

9. Equality

Good access to information improves employee equality and encourages participation and commitment.

10. Environmental friendliness

Digital systems reduce paper consumption and printing needs. When information is distributed through digital channels, there is less need for physical deliveries, which helps to reduce traffic-related emissions.

References;

https://www.cbi.eu/market-info...

https://itu.int/  Presentations.