Sustainable Cocoa Farming from Cocoa Family

Cocoa Family works with farmers to form  a sustainable cocoa cultivation system that allows farmers to increase and maintain farm productivity at levels which are economically viable, ecologically acceptable and in tune with the cultural practices of the local farmers. Making real progress against hunger and poverty starts with small farmers by improving their livelihood, knowledge and productivity, and the quality of the cocoa production. All these can help small farmers boost their yields and incomes so they can improve their lives and also eliminate poverty of child labor.

Our program intends to help large numbers of smallholder cocoa farmers to move out of poverty and transform their operations into viable businesses of sustainable cocoa production.

Market demand and farm gate prices for cocoa are higher than they’ve been for decades. While there are promising signs of a strengthening supply base, it is estimated that an additional 100-120k tons of cocoa will be needed each year to meet 2020 global demand. Especially in demand are “total quality” cocoa beans – those with not only excellent physical quality characteristics but also with socio-economic and environmental benefits. Demand for sustainable cocoa produced against credible standards is expected to reach as much as 50% of total world demand by 2020. With these market pressures looming, partners across the entire supply chain are collaborating intensively to secure long-term supply of sustainable cocoa.

Innovations in supply chain management, plant science, financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and ways to link farmers to markets are pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the sector. Novel approaches to traceability, breeding, risk-sharing for input financing, and the use of mobile telephony for extension services – just to name a few – create new opportunities for impact.

The innovation engine in the sector is only beginning to reach its potential influence, but is already a powerful force for change. In sum, we believe that these current trends in the cocoa sector, if well responded to, could become the drivers for a thriving, sustainable cocoa farming economy.

Most farmers have vast, untapped potential in their cocoa farms. Due to sheer poverty, many are locked into production levels as low as 300kg/ha. The economic sustainability of cocoa farmers will likely require production of 1000kg/ha or more. Ultimately, the combination of greater productivity, higher quality, diversification, and stronger market connectivity can unlock hidden income and turn struggling farms into profitable ventures. Such an achievement will draw greater investment from existing farmers and attract critically needed new, younger farmers into the profession. There is currently unprecedented commitment from governments, major companies, and donors to co-fund activities that help farmers to increasingly professionalize and generate considerably more income from their farms. The need, the will, the mechanisms, and the initial funding all exist to combat widespread poverty by supporting hundreds of thousands of smallholders to be successful cocoa farming entrepreneurs. We believe that now is the time to channel that funding in a focused way and take large-scale action to strengthen the sector.