Cargill’s Cocoa and Chocolate business, international development agency Swisscontact and the Soppeng Regency Government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the Cargill Cocoa Promise in the Soppeng Regency of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.
The Cargill Cocoa Promise aims to develop a sustainable cocoa supply chain and to make a difference in three key areas – improve the lives of cocoa farmers, support cocoa farming communities, and invest in the future of cocoa farming.
As part of the company’s US$100 million investment in Indonesia, this reinforces the company’s commitment to develop and grow Indonesia’s cocoa industry as well as strengthen the company’s sustainability activities.
Swisscontact is supporting the field implementation of the program to promote local development of farmers and to stimulate cooperation.
As Indonesia is the world’s third largest cocoa producer, the program strengthens Cargill’s intention to scale up its cocoa operations and increase value to the cocoa beans produced in Indonesia to help meet the increasing demand for cocoa across Asia.
The Cargill Cocoa Promise in Soppeng Regency will provide a flexible and low cost technology transfer system for cocoa farmers as well as train farmers in good agricultural practices.
It will also help establish farmers’ organizations, which will play a crucial role in the administration and certification of cocoa crops.
The Cocoa Promise program in Indonesia will:
- Train and support farmers in regards to good agricultural practice, rehabilitation, and post-harvest processing for sustainable cocoa agriculture;
- Improve smallholders’ family nutrition;
- Set up of farmers’ organizations that play a crucial role in the administration and certification of the cocoa crops, and allow farmers to share expertise and sell their crop at the best possible price;
- Provide a flexible and low cost technology transfer system for cocoa farmers; and
- Support cocoa smallholders in farm evaluation and rehabilitation.
