According to this report , Cadbury Schweppes PLC plans to spend millions during the next few years to boost cocoa yields and to improve the lives of cocoa farmers,a move intended to guarantee a long-term supply of the most importantingredient in its signature candies. The investment willaffect an estimated 1 million cocoa farmers primarily in Ghana, butalso in India, Indonesia and the Caribbean, all areas where Cadburygets cocoa candies.

Research by the University of Sussex in England and funded by the candy maker has shown that the averageproduction for a cocoa farmer has dropped to only 40 percent ofpotential yield and that cocoa farming has become less attractive tothe next potential generation of farmers, according to a statement bythe company.

The money Cadbury plans to spend on schools, libraries and wells is intended to attract the next generation to cocoafarming. "In Ghana, there is a phrase 'Coco obatanpa,'which means 'Cocoa is a good parent. It looks after you,' " JamesBoateng, managing director of Cadbury Ghana, said in a statement. "Wehope with this initiative, Cadbury and our partners can be a goodparent to cocoa."

In the coming year, Cadbury will invest almost $2 million to establish the cocoa partnership, including $1.2million to build 850 wells, Matt Shattock, one of Cadbury's regionalpresidents, said at a news conference.