Although the economic, social and environmental factors differ from country to country, organic farming is helping to make a positive difference in the lives of many cocoa farmers and their families. This progress notwithstanding, organic certified cocoa beans represent less than 1% of the worldwide cocoa crop. The majority of organic beans, about 75%, are produced in the Americas, with the Dominican Republic topping the list.
Business and government leaders, economists and organic experts often have differing views about the value of actively increasing the amount of land under organic management. One of the challenges cited in debates about organic agriculture is increasing crop yield per hectare to match or exceed the yields produced under conventional farming practices.
The organic farming program that Barry Callebaut launched in Brazil and the program that Biolands, a company in which Barry Callebaut owns a 49% stake, started in Tanzania, are featured in the 2008 Barry Callebaut publication Cabosse, “Organic cocoa farming.”
The organic farming programs founded and run by Esco Ltd. in Uganda and CONACADO in the Dominican Republic are also featured.
Inside Cabosse, “Organic cocoa farming”
- Contributing to a sustainable cocoa supply chain
- Organic cocoa - what does it mean for farmers?
- Organic cocoa farming in Brazil
- Organic cocoa farming in Tanzania
- Organic cocoa from Uganda
- Organic cocoa from the Dominican Republic
- "Organic" cocoa - understanding the claim
- A range of organic cocoa and chocolate products
- Looking ahead
