Cocoa product startup Koa reportedly introduced a blockchain-powered program to bring enhancements to the transparency of its cocoa supply chain, making sure Ghanaian farmers receive their due payments. 

Specifically, the program reportedly received backing from collaborations with Germany-based supply chain firm Seedtrace and South African telecoms company MTN Group. 

Koa further shared its hope to “improve transparency and accountability” via putting an end to what it refers to as “scandals and cocoa farmer poverty.”

“Big corps” like Oreo and Chips Ahoy producer Mondelez have reportedly been subjected to accusations regarding paying farmers a rate smaller than the standard living wage by the Conseil du Cafe-Cacao, which provides regulations for cocoa production in Ivory Coast and Ghana. 

Koa shared a belief that publicly documenting payment records on a blockchain will have the power to annihilate that kind of practice.\

Seedtrace provides the platform for Koa’s supply chain infrastructure. The platform takes advantage of the Topl blockchain to keep a record of the production and distribution of cocoa. 

Farmers will reportedly be able to tap into the data to get information about the destination of their products and the way they are being used, while consumers would have a simplified method for tracking the origin of the ingredients in their food and ensure the farmers were paid properly for their work.

Koa managing director and co-founder Anian Schreiber reportedly shared that “We want to get rid of long, non-transparent supply chains, with a belief that promises of ethical business operations are far from sufficient, and should be simple for consumers to audit. 

“Instead of claiming good practices, we put our cards on the table to let the consumers witness each transaction to farmers.”