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Cocoa cultivation, as an intercrop with coconut and arecanut seems to be expanding at a faster rate. Thanks to the efforts taken by Mondelez India Foods Ltd (formerly Cadbury India) towards popularising cocoa cultivation amongst coconut farmers in this region. 2015, incidentally is a landmark year for Mondelez India, as cocoa plantations in this country will enter its 50{+t}{+h} year. Excerpts from a chat with Mondelez India Foods Managing Director Manu Anand:
Why is Cocoa Life project important for Mondelez India?
Our Cocoa Sustainability Programme called ‘Cocoa Life’ (earlier known as Cocoa Gold) has been active for close to five decades in India. We pioneered cultivation of cocoa crop in this country in 1965. The programme recognises cocoa as a critical raw material for our business. It is built on successful experience of our programme in Ghana, India and Dominican Republic.
The programme includes improving agricultural knowledge, practice and community development. It helps in securing a steady supply of cocoa and is aimed at creating a cycle of growth from bean to bar, while empowering cocoa communities.
How has the journey been so far...
When Cadbury initially started business in India in 1948, we imported all chocolates from the UK. After few years, though we started manufacturing chocolates here, we still had to import cocoa.
It was then that we started conducting research to explore the possibility of cultivating cocoa in India. The crop was introduced on an experimental basis in Kerala in 1965.
As the crop adapted well to local conditions, the commercial cultivation expanded into Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, as an intercrop with coconut.
Since then, the programme has transformed the lives of over one lakh farmers across these southern states.
Do you supply seedling to farmers?
We operate 11 nurseries in the four southern states, providing cocoa seedling to 5,000 farmers every year. We have a dedicated team that travels throughout the cocoa growing areas to assist farmers in cocoa cultivation. This is in addition to a helpline for technical assistance.
What has been the outcome?
Farmers who have practised intercropping of cocoa with coconut and arecanut have seen their incomes double. In fact, some of the farmers are sending their children abroad to study.
How many farmers have adopted Cocoa Life Programme in India?
We have reached out to more than one lakh farmers so far. We not only supply them with cocoa saplings but back it up with buy-back guarantees. We are also involved in community work such as upgrading school infrastructure in these communities.
We have, in the recent years, invested in 14 villages in Tamil Nadu for a three-year programme to promote nutrition education, targeting 63,000 beneficiaries.
Your plan going forward…
As there is a huge potential to grow cocoa in the space under coconut trees, we are trying to accelerate the programme. The Government is supporting cocoa cultivation by providing assistance to farmers in the initial years under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
We have tied up with State Agricultural Universities for conducting specialised research.
What volume of cocoa do you source locally of your total requirement?
We source over a third of our requirements locally.
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