T&T COCOA GROWERS RECEIVE SOLAR-POWERED FACILITY
(L-R) Adrian Thomas - ReNewTT, Tobias Frenking - OTC Cluster Lead, Trijata Maraj - Digicel Foundation Director, Dr. Darin Sukha, - UWI Cocoa research Centre and Shawn Sajad -OTC, pose together during the unveiling of the new Climate Smart Cocoa Storage facility on March 27th 2024.
TUESDAY 07 MAY 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – With cocoa prices having doubled since the start of 2024, cocoa growers in Trinidad and Tobago now have an added facility for their high-quality beans.
Using a $100,000 grant from Shell Trinidad and Tobago and Digicel Foundation’s Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) programme, the Original Trinitario Cocoa Education Foundation (OTC) converted a transport container into a solar-powered storage unit for cocoa beans at the University of the West Indies’ Cocoa Research Centre at St Augustine.
The unit, which has air-conditioning and a humidifier to help preserve the quality of the beans, will help reduce losses and improve storage opportunities for cocoa farmers. OTC spokesperson Tobias Frenking explained, “The unit has five solar panels, harnessing the power of the sun to operate more sustainably. This initiative marks a crucial step in our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.”
Adrian Thomas of ReNewTT displays the solar powered advantages of the newly unveiled Climate Smart Cocoa Storage facility on March 27th, 2024.
Apart from keeping the beans fresh for use and sale, the storage unit also has remote monitoring and is completely off-grid.
Cindyann Currency, Head of Operations for the Digicel Foundation, was on site for the storage unit’s official unveiling. “We loved the innovation from the OTC,” she said. “Their project is embracing innovation and promoting sustainability. This is EPIC at its best!
This year’s EPIC Programme received a significant boost with Shell Trinidad and Tobago on board as co-sponsor of the grant. Currency shared, “This year we had an EPIC partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago, and with that we have seen an increase in innovation and progressive projects that have included renewable energy. This is what true partnerships do, it takes you to another level.”
T&T is one of just eight countries that produce 100% fine cocoa. The Cocoa Research Centre (CRC), which opened in 1930, is one of the oldest cocoa research institutions still operating and has the largest public collection of cocoa types in the world.
(L-R) Digicel Foundation Head of Operations Cindyann Currency gives her remarks alongside Tobias Frenking of the Original Trinitario Cocoa Education Foundation (OTC) during the unveiling of the new Climate Smart Cocoa Storage facility.
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About Digicel
As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.
Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.
Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.
With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.
For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com
About Shell Trinidad and Tobago
Shell has been in Trinidad and Tobago for over 100 years and has played a major role in the development of its oil and gas industry. With operations in offshore and onshore blocks (both operated and non-operated) as well as a majority shareholding in Atlantic LNG, the sixth largest liquefaction facility in the world, Shell Trinidad and Tobago delivers an integrated gas operation to supply the petrochemical market and Atlantic LNG.
Shell Trinidad and Tobago aims to create measurable, positive social impact at the community and national level, and contribute to the achievement of national priorities, through increasing access to education, skills and economic opportunities and improving access to energy.
Our social investment strategy seeks to contribute to economic diversification and livelihood development through Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STREAM) education, community skills and enterprise development, and community development.