Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " Cocoa Fermentation and Drying and Quality Assessment in Vietnam " MS3 pdf

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development


CARD Progress Report



013VIE05
Cocoa Fermentation and Drying and Quality
Assessment in Vietnam




MS3: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT









August 2006



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1. Institute Information

Project Name
013VIE05 Cocoa Fermentation and
Drying and Quality Assessment in
Vietnam
Vietnamese Institution
Can Tho University
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Ha Thanh Toan, PhD.
Vietnamese Institution
Nong Lam University
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Dr. Pham Hong Duc Phuoc
Vietnamese Institution
Western Highlands Agro-forestry Science
& Technical Institute
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Dr. NGUYEN VAN THUONG
Australian Organisation
QDPI&F
Australian Personnel
Neil Hollywood
Date commenced
February 06
Completion date (original)
February 08
Completion date (revised)
August 08
Reporting period
First 6 months to August 06

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name:
Neil Hollywood
Telephone:
617 34068643
Position:
Senior Microbiologist
Fax:
617 34068699
Organisation
QDPI&F
Email:



In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Michelle Robbins
Telephone:
617 33462711
Position:
Senior Planning Officer
Fax:
617 33462727
Organisation
QDPI&F
Email:

In Vietnam
Name:
Ha Thanh Toan
Telephone:
84 71 830604
Position:
Director, Biotechnology R&D Institute
Fax:
84 71 830604
Organisation
Can Tho University
Email:



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2. Project Abstract

The Government of Vietnam is focusing on high quality of Vietnamese cocoa and set a
goal of having 10,000 ha of planted cocoa by 2010, aiming especially in Dak Lak
province and the Mekong Delta, which is a priority region for CARD projects. It is critical
that Vietnam produces a high quality fermented cocoa that would provide income for
Vietnamese farmers. The best way to assure good quality attributes is to train the relevant
Vietnamese scientists on assessment of cocoa quality and fermentation and drying
methodologies. The obvious choice for training are scientists of Vietnamese Cocoa
Development team in Nong Lam University, scientists from the Can Tho University, and
WASI, the official cocoa research institute, located in Dak Lak province. In this project
smallholder methods of fermenting and solar drying of cocoa will to be tested and
adjusted to Vietnamese conditions and aspects of farmer adoption. These methods will be
passed to small farmers through extension and other appropriate channels. In tandem with
this, training of Vietnamese staff, in cocoa sensory and chemical analysis, at QDPI&F is
to be conducted. This will be done in the aim of producing cocoa of desirable quality
attributes, which can then be monitored at the participating Vietnamese Institutes.

3. Executive Summary
The project objectives for the first 6 months and achievements are as follows:
The first trip by the Australian collaborator was made in April-May. During this visit the three
collaborating institutes were visited as were Success alliance, Bent Tre Department of Science and
Technology and some industry personnel. Activities conducted and relevant factors noted are as
follows:
The purpose of this visit is outlined in the project document in Section 2.3.1 “Implementation
approach and strategy”. The purpose of the visit as outlined in this section was for the Australian
project leader to:

1. Visit the Vietnamese institutes and Industry personnel
2. Meetings with SUCCESS Alliance and Department of Science and Technology, Ben Tre staff
regarding their existing data on smallholder production and incomes as well as their existing
recommendations regarding fermentation and drying methodologies.
3. Conduct baseline survey of factors such as: techniques re harvest, fermentation and drying of cocoa,
farmer’s incomes and distribution of income, labour inputs, size of holdings and Industry factors
such as transportation and marketing procedures.
4. Assessment of price and availability of materials required for fermentation boxes, solar dryers and
solar hot houses.
5. Assessment of most suitable locations for fermentation boxes and dryers for on-farm trials.
6. Organization of time for training activities for Vietnamese personnel in the Australian Institute.
7. Finalisation of list of equipment and consumables needed to be purchased in Australia
8. Participate in initial fermentation and drying trials.

These various purposes were achieved as follows.

1. The Vietnamese Institutes and Industry Personnel

Can Tho Province and University

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Can Tho Province is not currently a large producer of cocoa and SUCCESS Alliance does not operate there
either. There was only one major farmer within the vicinity of Can Tho city. This farmer operated in an area
where several other villages and/or farmers did grow cocoa but, due to their small production (30-40 trees)
sold pods to him rather than attempting fermentation and drying themselves.

The methodologies employed by this farmer were found to be similar to that employed in Ben Tre under SA
and DOST recommendations. These recommendations are of a high standard and a high degree of
innovation by farmers was noted. They need some fine tuning to achieve a West African standard. The main

problem was with difficulty in drying during the wet season.

In Can Tho they do not have the benefit of extension agencies such as DOST and SUCCESS Alliance.
Farmers also suffer from not having a cocoa buyer in the province. Cocoa has to be transported by bus to
Ben Tre province for sale.


Nong Lam Province and University
Nong Lam University were also visited. Nong Lam was noted to have extensive facilities for future
analytical work and a well established and trained sensory evaluation section. It was also noted to have an
advanced crop-drying facility. The university also has its’ own plantation, with fermenting and drying
facilities as well as plant nursery being used to produce cocoa seed and seedlings for sale.


WASI and Dak Lak Province
Basic information regarding cocoa production in the Central Highlands and projected figures for
replacement of coffee with cocoa were obtained during the visit to WASI. WASI was noted to also have
well equipped laboratories with suitable equipment for the conduction of fermentation and drying trials.
They also have an extensive plantation, exceeding the size of that at Nong Lam and would be a logical
choice of sites for the conduction of some fermentation and drying trials as well as testing of hot house
fermentations, due to their cool climate. A presentation was given to local authorities to inform them of the
purpose of the project.

2. Department of Science and Technology in Ben Tre and SUCCESS ALLIANCE.
These organisations provided the following information:
Ben Tre Province is the most developed area in Vietnam for cocoa production, with a base of more than
3000 cocoa farmers, of which more than 100 were engaged in small scale cocoa production and processing
in 2005. Estimates vary widely, but production was about 30 tons of fresh pods in 2004. This is a small, but
rapidly growing, production base and it is vital to influence all stakeholders to adopt recommended
fermentation and drying practices. To date there are 2900 participating farmers in SUCCESS Alliance in

Ben Tre, with four model fermentaries, 11 model farms and five nurseries established. This is supported by
a network of 72 farmer trainers, 10 DARD staff and 4 SUCCESS Alliance field staff. In addition ED&F
Mann Ltd. And Cargill Ltd. Have buying stations set up in Ben Tre.

Figures of plantings and projected plantings by SUCCESS Alliance were provided by them and are given as
an attachment. A baseline survey report of SUCCESS Alliance participating farmers from 2005 was also
obtained from them and has been presented.

Cargill Gerkens and ET&F Mann who provided information on their activities, the local industry and
buying practices were also visited. Information from Cargill Gerkins and Success Alliance is provided in a
separate attachment

3. Conduct baseline survey of farmer practices

This activity was conducted in both Ben Tre and Can Tho provinces at local farmer/ buying point sites. Can
Tho province has only one farmer who conducts fermentation and drying. Therefore the bulk of the survey
was conducted in Ben Tre province. The bulk of this survey was conducted in August and the findings have
been presented as a separate report.



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4. Assessment of price and availability of materials for fermentation boxes and solar dryers.
Construction of fermentation boxes and the first of the dryers were undertaken at Can Tho University. A
local timber mill was contacted regarding the construction of sets of fermentation boxes. Four sets of four
sizes for fermentation of 100kg, 50kg, 25kg and 10kg wet beans were ordered. The total price of these 16
boxes was USD500. This was considered to be excessive for the average farmer. Much of the price was for
labour. It is considered that, with the simple plans available, a farmer would be able to construct them
himself, thus eliminating this portion of the price. Timber thickness could also be reduced resulting in
cheaper boxes. One set of boxes was for experimentation at Can Tho and the other three for distribution to

smallholder sites. During the visit two sets were delivered to Ben Tre province and one set to Mr Vinh in
Can Tho.

A large scale dryer, with a drying bed area of 3M x 4M was constructed at Can Tho University during this
visit. This size of dryer is much larger than that intended for smallholder farmers (2Mx2M). It was
constructed to this size to accommodate the number of samples generated during fermentation trials where
up to 8 different fermentation treatments may be conducted at the one time.

Prior to the visit, availability in Vietnam of the polycarbonate material used was checked with the Israeli
firm which produces it. It was found not to be sold in Vietnam therefore an order was placed with the
manufacturers and delivery organised to Vietnam.

The remainder of materials required, mainly tubular steel, was found to be readily available. The total cost
of this dryer was approximately USD800. A smaller unit of 2M x 2M drying bed was also constructed and
the price was USD400. It was therefore decided that the use of tubular steel, for the framework, and
associated welding costs was excessive.

A second visit to Vietnam was undertaken by the Australian collaborator and the QDPI&F drying specialist
in August. The drying specialist produced a design to optimize utilization and therefore costs of materials
for the dryer design and this has been reported.

5. Identifying suitable locations for placement of fermenting boxes and solar dryers

The one farmer, in Can Tho province, who ferments and dries his own cocoa, was selected for Can Tho. In
Ben Tre two sites were selected in association with SA and DOST.

6. Organisation of time for training activities.
Training on the methodologies for analysis of fermenting and drying cocoa were completed during the visit
in April. Laboratory staff were shown the methods employed for physical and chemical tests employed
during these trials.

The dates for training in sensory and analytical assessment of fermented dried beans, to be conducted in
Australia, were set. The Australian project leader made arrangements for this training since his return from
Vietnam. Samples to be employed in this training were generated during fermentation and drying trials at
Can Tho University and by obtaining local commercial samples from Can Tho and Ben Tre Province. This
training at QDPI&F was conducted in August

7. Finalisation of list of equipment and consumables needed to be purchased in Australia

The finalisation of materials and consumables was completed during this visit. Most of the capital items
have been ordered in Australia and either delivered or awaiting delivery from Australia. This included the
data logger, motorised mortar and pestle for WASI and oxygen probe. All other items and laboratory
consumables are readily available in Vietnam.

8. Participate in initial fermentation and drying trials.
The first fermentation and drying trial was completed during this visit. The four different fermentation box
sizes and heap fermentation were conducted. Testing of the dryer indicated a good performances with

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temperatures of over 60
o
C being generated on the drying bed for several hours during the middle of the day.
This resulted in drying times of 4-5 days. This compares well with the 10-12 days required using current
smallholder drying practices. A detailed report on these fermentation and drying trials is available if
required
.

Budgetary Factors

With the project budget a few adverse factors have occurred. Firstly, the polycarbonate material was held in

customs for three weeks at a cost of USD1000. The main reason this happened was that the material was
sent directly from Israel and problems were encountered with locating the original invoice by customs. This
had to be taken from the amount allocated for fermenting boxes and solar dryer construction. Secondly
materials and labour costs were higher than expected. There have been savings in areas such as airfares and
capital items purchased. A submission, separate to this document, will have to be made to CARD for a
reallocation of monies within the budget.

4. Introduction & Background
Due to a very strong cocoa grinding industry and growing consumption, there is a lack of properly
fermented cocoa in the Asia Pacific region. Much of the fermented cocoa is currently being important from
West Africa. Vietnam has the capacity to fill at least part of this supply need, but it is critical that cocoa
produced is comparable to best quality, West African cocoa.

The Vietnamese government has an aim of increasing cocoa production especially in the Western Highlands
and Mekong Delta regions. It is intended that the Mekong Delta area, using smallholder farmers, will be the
site of the bulk of new plantings. Currently there are 2700ha of cocoa planted in this region. In the Mekong
Delta area, the majority of cocoa is in Ben Tre Province. This is a neighbouring province of Can Tho, where
Can Tho University and the proponent are situated. Ben Tre province is also being promoted by the central
government as a pioneering province for cocoa development in the Mekong Delta region. Cocoa
development activities have strong support from the local MARD (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development) branch.

Due to the fact that cocoa cultivation is very new in Vietnam, there is little expertise in cocoa quality in any
of Vietnam’s academic and research organizations. A Cocoa Development team from Nong Lam University
is the most knowledgeable in many aspects of cocoa, especially in agronomic issues related to the
establishment of the crop. Can Tho University is adjacent to Ben Tre province and WASI (Western
Highlands Agricultural Science Institute) can service the cocoa industry in the Western Highlands. WASI
is also the official Vietnamese cocoa research institution mandated by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD). Therefore these three institutes were included for participation in the project. The
project aims include addressing capacity building in all aspects of cocoa processing and quality assessment

in these Institutions.

The project aims include studies of methods of optimising the processing of cocoa, especially in
regard to harvesting and fermentation and drying procedures. Dak Lak, because of its’ cooler
climate, has separate requirements regarding fermentation and drying from the other two
provinces. This aim, it is hoped, will result in premium prices for cocoa. Once methodologies have
been developed for a range of harvest sizes, adaptive, on-farm trials will be established. These
trials will involve the distribution of dryers and fermenting boxes to selected smallholders in Can
Tho, Ben Tre and Dak Lak. On-farm sites are then to be monitored at intervals to note factors such
as; he manner in which the procedures are adopted and perform, the quality of product compared
to that obtained in other countries and the rest of Vietnam, maintenance problems which may
occur and the benefits to family members, including gender issues such as, labour reduction and income
effects. These trials would need to be undertaken over at least a one-year period to adequately assess

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performance, maintenance and any other associated problems with the methodologies, which may be
encountered in different seasons.
With a successful conduct and outcome from the on-farm trials, extension activities would then be
undertaken. This could be in the form of booklets, production of simple plans for fermenting boxes and
dryer construction, local media reports, and dissemination via extension officers within relevant Vietnamese
agricultural agencies and with training projects such as SUCCESS Alliance (SA).

For cocoa quality evaluation, staff from the three participating institutes will receive training in physical,
chemical and sensory evaluation of cocoa. They will also receive training in the conduct of fermentation
and drying trials. In this manner, capacity building of the participating institutions will be implemented.

5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation highlights
The project objectives for the first 6 months and achievements against contract and proposal activity log
frames are as follows:

Contract and proposal activity 1: Contract signing Status; Completed.
Project logframe activity 2.1: Visit to Vietnam of Australian program leader for initiation of project
logframe activities 2.2-2.6. This first visit was made in April 2006
Project logframe activity 2.2 Collection of baseline data re current industry and Institute capacities: This
activity proved difficult to achieve especially in regard to smallholder practices. It was not realised prior to
this trip that a cocoa industry in Can Tho province, where the leading Vietnamese institute is based, is
practically non-existent. In the whole province there are possibly a dozen farmers who have small quantities
of trees and do not ferment and dry their own cocoa because there are insufficient quantities to do so. Only
one farmer exists in Can Tho who grows sufficient cocoa to ferment and purchases pods from the remaining
farmers. Baseline information regarding prices paid for pods and prices received for fermented/dried cocoa
were obtained from him. This was also done at several sites in Ben Tre province where considerably more
farmers exist. However collection of this basic data was not sufficient to provide information regarding
labour inputs, gender issues and incomes received. It had been hoped that such data could be obtained from
Success Alliance and MARD but this proved not to be the case. Time constraints, distances involved and
the need to initiate other activities meant that the collection of base line data on farmer practices had to be
put on hold. On return to Australia, the program leader organised the structuring of a detailed questionnaire
to be distributed in Ben Tre. During a second visit in August this questionnaire was taken to 50 smallholder
sites in Ben Tre and data collected. This analysed data (Project log frame activity 2.3) is presented as
output 2 of the contract Table of Milestones and is noted as having been delivered late. It is asked that the
results for Ben Tre province be considered typical of smallholder situations in Vietnam and the Ben Tre
data be considered sufficient for fulfilment of output 2.
Project logframe activity 2.4: Each of the collaborating Vietnamese institutes was visited during the April
visit and the laboratories of each of the three institutes noted to have the basic equipment necessary for the
conduct of fermentation and drying trials. However it was found that Can Tho University, where most of
the fermentation and drying trials were to be conducted, did not have ready access to sufficient cocoa for
these trials, nor it did it have any fermentation or drying facilities in existence.
Project logframe activity 2.5: Initiation of construction of fermentation boxes, solar dryers and hot houses:
Four each of four sizes of fermentation boxes (100kg, 50kg, 25kg and 10kg) were constructed during this
visit. These were distributed as follows; one set for CTU for fermentation and drying trials and one set for
the single major farmer in Can Tho province. Two sets were sent to Department of Science and Technology

in Ben Tre (DOST) for distribution to two smallholder sites in Ben Tre, selected in consultation with DOST
and SA. This activity was completed apart from the fact there was insufficient time for construction of a set
at WASI. Hot houses are meant for the conduction of fermentations in the cooler climate of Western
Highlands so hot house construction was not initiated either. A larger solar dryer and smaller one, of the

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size meant for farmers, were constructed at CTU. The larger dryer at CTU was built to handle multiple
samples of beans from various treatments in the fermentation trials.
Project logframe activity 2.6: Initiation of drying trials: This was conducted in conjunction with the
fermentation trials and favourable drying rates of 4-5 days noted. (This compares with 10-12 days, or
longer, using current smallholder methods).
Project logframe activity 2.7: Initiation of fermentation trials. This was conducted at CTU but proved
problematic for a number of reasons. Firstly, pods can not be obtained in sufficient numbers in Can Tho
province and a trip, costing fuel and time, had to be made to Ben Tre to purchase sufficient pods. Secondly,
during the breaking of pods, the beans usually receive an inoculation of microorganisms from fruit flies
associated with the crop. During breaking of the pods at CTU, this inoculation did not occur and all but one
of 5 fermentation treatments did not ferment properly. This does not mean that future fermentation trials
can’t be conducted at Can Tho. More attention will need to be placed on braking pods in an area where
natural inoculation, from fruit flies, will occur. Also when pods are purchased, in Ben Tre, they are
invariably at different stages of pod storage rather than fresh pods. Pod storage trials, where fresh beans, as
opposed to those already subjected to pod storage, will not be able to be carried out at CTU. It is suggested
that the most suitable site to conduct these trials is at WASI as they do have substantial areas of land under
cocoa cultivation. It is proposed that this is done at WASI during the Australian collaborators third visit in
December. The trials, using hot houses to elevate temperatures, will also be conducted at WASI. Hot house
trials are not necessary for the Mekong region as ambient temperatures are sufficiently high
Project logframe activity 2.8: Collection of samples of cocoa from local sources and fermentation trials
for inclusion in training at QDPI&F. This was done successfully with commercial samples from Can Tho,
Ben Tre, WASI and the one fermentation which worked at CTU, collected and made into liquors at NLU.
Project logframe activity 2.9 Purchase in Australia and delivery of items not readily accessible in
Vietnam. This has been largely achieved with polycarbonate sheeting and data loggers purchased and

delivered. An oxygen probe has been purchased but not delivered to Vietnam at time of report (done since).
A mortar and pestle has been ordered from a UK firm in April but we are still waiting delivery to QDPI&F
at time of report (since arrived and delivered to Vietnam). A problem did occur with getting the
polycarbonate sheeting past customs. It was delivered directly from Israel and problems encountered with
obtaining the correct invoices. This resulted in it being held in customs for three weeks with a resultant
USD1000 storage fee being applied. A roasting oven for WASI was found not to be necessary to purchase.
Project logframe activity 3.1 and 3.2: Training in sensory, analytical and biometry procedures at QDPI&F
for Vietnamese staff. This took place in August, associated training notes can be provided if requested. It
took place 1 month later than planned due to a need to install up to date analytical equipment at QDPI&F.
For this activity, Nong Lam University nominated a student already in Brisbane, thus saving an airfare. This
airfare was then used to bring a staff member from WASI. This therefore negates the need for Project
logframe activity 6.1
Project logframe activity 3.3 and 4.1 Establishment of taste panels and analytical procedures at CTU and
NLU. These have not happened at time of report, as the training was only completed at the end of August.
NLU however, does already have an established sensory section
Project logframe activity 8.1: Visit to Vietnam of Australian collaborator and QDPI&F drying specialist.
This was undertaken in August and suggested changes to dryer design made. These suggested changes, to
optimise utilization of materials and therefore reduce costs for a given size dryer, are provided in an
attachment

5.2 Smallholder Benefits
Cocoa, properly fermented and dried, and therefore, of good flavor attributes, can fetch a premium between
100-200 USD/tonne extra, to the usual Southeast Asian bean price. This means that, if this project were
successful in establishing a high quality standard, Vietnamese smallholders would earn an additional 1-2
million USD per year once the foreseen target, of 10.000 ha in production by 2010, is reached. For the

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Mekong Delta region, there is the potential of an additional amount of 1.8-3.6 million USD that would be
earned by smallholder cocoa growers. Due to similar rainfall, development of methodologies for the
Mekong should be transferable to the Central Coast if cocoa production was initiated there.

A short survey of cocoa farmers at Ben Tre province, in 2004, demonstrated that cocoa trees, within 2 years
of planting, could give 50kg of cocoa bean per month/ha. The yield increases to 200kg cocoa
bean/month/ha for 4 year old trees. At the present price (21,000 VND/kg of fermented bean) farmers could
earn 3.6 billion Vietnamese Dong/month/ha (or 235 USD/month/ha) for good quality cocoa.
5.3 Capacity Building
Each of the Vietnamese Institutes need to be able able to conduct fermentation and drying trials involving
chemical and physical tests of the fermenting beans, the beans during drying and then the fully dried end
product. Testing of fully dried beans requires sensory evaluation as well. To do this properly requires the
relevant equipment and trained staff. The project will provide this capacity building follows:
1. Training in conduct of fermentation and drying trials and measurement of relevant parameters. This will
then be applied to establish the processing procedures for cocoa in Vietnam
2. Use of HPLC for organic acids and ethanol determinations.
3. Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer for aromatic compounds determinations.
4. Sensory evaluation
5. Biometry regarding sensory and analytical results.

5.4 Publicity

The following would be applied to publicise AusAID & CARD involvement
• Media and publicity releases;
• References and signage at field demonstrations, workshops and training sessions (The dryer
constructed at CTU has been sign posted as constructed by CARD/ AusAID)
• References in training manuals
•
Labelling of equipment supplied
• Joint GoV and Australian signage for office/laboratories supported by Australia
5.5 Project Management
The Vietnamese Institutes would be responsible for the bulk of planning and conduction of fermentation
and drying trials as well as sensory and analytical work post training. The Vietnamese institutes would also
be responsible for the monitoring of trials and impact on farmers work load and income and the quality

attributes of cocoa from the farmer trials. The Australian Institute would collaborate in the monitoring,
analysis of data generated, production of extension materials and reporting of the project. The Australian
Institute also manages the project budget

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
Cocoa growing can have fewer adverse effects on the environment than other forms of agriculture.
Production blocks are often small, with cocoa grown as a mixed crop with coconuts or a variety of

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subsistence food crops. Research papers, including presentations at an ICCO conference (Brazil, 1996)
report that species diversity, including mammals, birds, insects etc on cocoa blocks, may be similar to that
of adjacent rainforest in cocoa growing areas.

Environmental risks involved in the program are therefore, regarded as minimal. The project involves
processing of existing and future plantings of cocoa. Future plantings may impact on natural flora and fauna
but the program is not related to any expansion of areas under cocoa cultivation. Cocoa is also considered
an environmentally benign crop. In the Mekong Delta, cocoa is planted in mixed planting systems, mainly
with coconut but also in very diversified systems with as much as up to 15 different species of fruit trees,
nut trees, shrubs, vines and medicinal plants with a resultant, very high biodiversity.

6.2 Gender and Social Issues
Many cocoa farmers in Vietnam already ferment and dry their own cocoa and therefore have some
experience with these practices. During the field trials on optimisation of fermentation techniques,
an attempt would be made to incorporate the better aspects of what is currently done into our
recommended methods. This incorporation would take into account materials currently used and
environmental, work practice, and social factors.
A Success Alliance study has demonstrated the following:
SA has four participating provinces of Binh Phuoc (1095 households), Ba Ria Vung Tau (1560),
Tien Giang (1600) and Ben Tre (1679). In these provinces, female participation varied from 9% in

Binh Phuoc to 20% in Ben Tre. Tien Giang had 16% and Ba Ria Ving, 13%.

Virtually all of these participants had farming as their sole income. The bulk of participants are in
the age range of 26-55 which is considered an experienced labour age. The bulk of participants had
a median family size of 3-5 members. The percentage of farmers with an education level of
secondary to high school varied from 69-77% across the provinces, therefore with this level of
education, a high percentage of uptake of knowledge could be expected.

In Binh Phuoc province 90% of farmers had an income between 12-100 million VND per annum
for all crops grown. The median figure was 40 million VND. In Ba Ria Vung Tau the figures were
90% having income between 1-45 Million VND, with a median level of 17 million VND. In Ben
Tre 90% of participants had incomes between 1-10 million VND and a median income of 4 MVD.
In Tian Giang 90% had an income between 2-10 MVND and median income of 5 MVND. In Can
Tho province the only substantial cocoa grower had an annual income of 16MVD from cocoa
alone.

The baseline survey, conducted for this project, has been completed post the reporting period and
has been presented in a separate document.
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
The following assessment of issues, risks and constraints was reported in the project
document:
Much of the risk assessment was done during the Australian Team member site visit for last year’s
application. Factors identified were as follows:


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1. One concern was that the solar driers it would not suit smallholders due to price and complexity issues.
However it is regarded that simple units can be built to suit smallholder purposes. Proponents indicated that
drying tables constructed of bamboo, on which fermented cocoa is thinly layered and exposed to the sun is a

good example of the type of drying system that is likely to result in smallholder acceptance. Smallholder’s
currently sundry cocoa in various ways such as layered on bare earth, bamboo, concrete and other surfaces
but it is considered that this will lead to mould contamination in wet weather. The solar dryers are still
considered a viable option by the Australian collaborators especially for small fermentaries that are already
established in several locations in the Mekong Delta region. They should also serve to dry cocoa for farmers
during the wet season. In the period between harvest flushes, when there is much less cocoa available for
fermenting and drying by individuals, a cooperative approach could be considered as well as the practice of
selling wet, unfermented beans to a fermentary.


2. The proponents indicated that driers should be no more than USD 100.00 for smallholder acceptance.
Experience with building dryers at Can Tho have indicated that local materials and labor costs were more
than expected. Methods of achieving price reduction were identified during the drying specialists visit. It is
now considered that small units for farmers will cost more in the vicinity of USD200.

3. The proponents indicated that small holders would be inclined to cooperate in drying of cocoa. An
example of this might be the sharing of a centrally located solar dryer amongst a number of households.
Coconut tree timber, which is available and very cheap, was suggested as a substitute timber for
construction of drying equipment. Its lifespan is approx 5 years. Bamboo was also suggested and lasts
longer than coconut wood.

4. Small holder fermentation of cocoa is usually undertaken in a bamboo basket covered with banana
leaves. Work done by the proponents has shown that a fermentation mass below 20Kg requires insulation to
maintain temperature. His group has found that quantities of around 13 Kg can be fermented in Styrofoam
fruit boxes where temperatures reach 50
o
C. Sensory evaluation of cocoa from these trials was conducted by
Smilja Lambert in Indonesia and reported a styrene like off-flavor. The group is investigating ways of lining
the containers to prevent the taint occurring. Less than 5Kg fermentations need to be conducted in direct
sunlight. These findings are in line with those encountered in PNG and it is still considered that

fermentation and drying methods developed there will be applicable in Vietnam.

5. Work conducted has shown that pod storage can improve cocoa quality and this can be easily
incorporated into the trials.

It is considered that as all of the developmental methodology has already been tested and is in place, risks to
the implementation of the proposal are minimal.
Since implementation of the project and the first two visits by the Australian collaborator the
following unforeseen issues and constraints have occurred.
• Solar dryer, fermentation boxes and hot house construction
The first major factor was that the polycarbonate sheeting, shipped directly from Israel, was held in customs
for three weeks. This incurred a storage fee of USD1000. Secondly materials and labour for the dryers was
found to be in excess of what was required in previous countries. Thirdly Can Tho University did not have
any existing fermenting and drying equipment and this necessitated the construction of a large solar dryer to
handle samples generated from the fermentation trials. Fourthly the cost of timber for fermentation box
construction was in excess of that encountered in previous countries These factors resulted in cost blow outs
for dryer, hot house and fermentation box construction. The total budget for them for experimentation and
on-farm trials has now been exceeded in the vicinity of $6,0000. A reallocation of funds from within the
project or even extra funding may be needed for construction of dryers and hot houses at WASI and for
dryers, hot houses and fermentation boxes at smallholder sites. The cost situation has been rectified to some
extent by the work of the project engineer in minimizing the materials required in his updated design for
dryers. However, it’s estimated an amount of approximately $6,0000 will have to be found to complete

10
construction at WASI and smallholder sites. This issue will be mentioned/addressed in a request for a
contract amendment to be made shortly.
It was not realised that cocoa production in Can Tho province was minimal. This meant the farmer survey
(contract milestone 2) had to be delayed until the second visit of the Australian collaborator in August. This
has now been achieved by conducting the survey in Ben Tre and adjacent provinces/districts and should
allow the release of the second tranche of money.

The lack of cocoa in Can Tho meant that pods had to be obtained from Ben Tre province which meant
additional costs for fuel and resulted in trial delays.
A delay of 6 months has already occurred in the delivery to QDPI&F of the mortar and pestle for WASI.
The unit has now been delivered.
Overall most of the activities for this first six months have been achieved either on time or ahead of
schedule. The main exceptions are contract milestone 2, the farmer survey, which has been completed in
August and the project activity 2.7 “fermentation trials” because of a lack of natural Inoculum during
fermentations conducted at CTU.
7.2 Options
Options are as mentioned above I.E.
• Reallocation of funds to allow completion of solar dryers, hot houses and fermentation boxes for
WASI and smallholder sites.
• Shifting to WASI of the remaining fermentation, pod storage and drying trials.
• Suggested increase in Australian collaborators time in Vietnam.

All of these factors will be taken into consideration in a contract amendment being currently drawn up.
7.3 Sustainability
The trials already conducted at Can Tho plus the extensive training in dry bean analysis by
permanent staff from CTU, NLU and WASI means that the project has a high degree of
sustainability.
8. Next Critical Steps
The next crucial steps are as per the project document activity schedule:

Project logframe activity 6.1: Training of staff from WASI in sensory and analytical work at Can Tho and
NLU.
This activity now no longer needs to take place. The NLU candidate was already studying in Brisbane, so
her airfare was used to bring a WASI staff member to QDPI&F for training. The WASI staff member can
now organise sensory evaluation at WASI. This will be completed during the Australian partner’s next visit
in December 2006. Costs budgeted for this activity can now be requested to be reallocated in a contract
variation.

Project log frame activity 2.7: Initiation of fermentation trials. As stated above fermentation treatments
conducted at Can Tho were atypical. However it’s considered the problem can be overcome by breaking
pods in a location where natural inoculation is likely to occur. Conduct of pod storage trials and use of hot
houses, to elevate ambient temperatures, need to be conducted at WASI. This will be performed during the
Australian partner’s visit in December.

Project logframe activity 7.1: Smallholder cocoa quality improvement through optimization of
fermentation practices: This activity should be achievable by February 2007.


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Project logframe activity 7.2: Evaluation of fermentation trial data: This will be dependant on establishing
trials at WASI. If they are, the activity should be achievable by February 2007.
Project logframe activity 7.3: Evaluation of drying trial data: This has largely been completed already at
CTU but needs confirmation in the cooler climate of Dak Lak.

Project logframe activity 7.4: Construction of solar dryers at Can Tho, NLU and WASI. This has already
been achieved at CTU. It is probably unnecessary for NLU but needs to be done at WASI.

Project logframe activity 7.5 Drying trial evaluation. This has been completed at CTU but needs
completion at WASI.

Project logframe activity 8.1: Visit of Australian partner and QDPI&F drying specialist. This has already
been completed.

Project logframe activity 8.2: Adjustments if any to solar dryer design made: The suggested changes can
be done on units constructed at WASI

Project logframe activity 8.3: Testing of updated dryer design: This can be conducted at WASI.

Project logframe activity 10.1: Visit of Australian partner to Vietnam. This is planned for December, with
most activities being conducted at WASI.



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