IF ONLY GABON HAD CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION OF COCOA AND COFFEE! SI SEULEMENT LE GABON AVAIT CONTINUÉ Á SOUTENIR LA CULTURE DU CACAO ET DU CAFÉ!
English version The trajectory of cocoa production in Gabon from 1960 to today presents a picture of decline from an important crop, mostly cultivated in the province of Woleu-Ntem to a minor crop that has become overshadowed by the country's oil wealth, and currently is now produced at very low levels with some attempts at revival. In 1965, the price of a kilogram of cocoa was about 75 cfa francs and that of coffee was 90 cfa francs. During this time Gabon had several cocoa/coffee millionaires who lived independent lives, built their homes in the villages, sent their children to school and were not impressed by politicians because they made more money than these politicians. Cocoa was an established commercial crop in Woleu-Ntem and the population was prospering from it. The creation of the Cocoa Marketing Board in 1965 indicated a governmental effort to support and foster cocoa production, as it was seen as a valuable export at the time. Gabon saw growth in cocoa pr...