Barry Callebaut helps cocoa farmers improve productivity and sustainability

70,500 farmers trained in good agricultural practices

Sustainable cocoa farmers apply good agricultural and business practices, which result in better yields and incomes. They engage in responsible labor practices, protect the environment, and are able to meet the needs of their family. Barry Callebaut aims to help cocoa farmers to reach this level through farmer training, farmer support and farmer finance.

Sustainability in the cocoa sector is centered on the cocoa farmer. Cocoa farmers worldwide face challenges such as aging trees, pests and diseases, and depleted soils. The sustainable cocoa farmer is applying good agricultural and business practices, which result in better yields and incomes. He engages in responsible labor practices, protects the environment, and is able to meet the needs of his family. Barry Callebaut aims to help cocoa farmers to reach this level through farmer training, farmer support and farmer finance.

Improving farmer productivity

Nicko Debenham, VP Global Cocoa Sustainability, says: “Our approach is fully aligned with the goals of CocoaAction, the industry strategy to sustain the cocoa industry and improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. In order to further grow our impact and drive change, we recently launched the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, which allows customers and donors to join our efforts.”

Farmer Training

To develop and share good agricultural practices, Barry Callebaut has put in place a robust research and training infrastructure. The R&D center in Selborne, Malaysia, provides cutting-edge insights into sustainable cocoa farming practices, which are then integrated into the company’s cocoa curriculum. Skills and knowledge are transmitted from master trainers to farmer trainers, who in turn run the hundreds of farmer field schools for over 70,000 cocoa farmers across Western Africa and Indonesia.