Barry Callebaut and Ghana intensify cooperation on a sustainable cocoa farming model
Barry Callebaut and Ghana intensify cooperation on a sustainable cocoa farming model
- Barry Callebaut and the Ghana Cocoa Board sign letter of intent to work collaboratively on a model for sustainable cocoa farming
- Specific focus on replanting CSSV infected cocoa trees and income diversification
- In addition the signatories will cooperate on community led initiatives to eradicate child labor and support women cocoa farmers and young cocoa farmers.
Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) signed a letter of intent June 4, to intensify the cooperation on sustainable cocoa farming. The purpose of the letter of intent is for both signatories to work collaboratively towards the design and validation of a sustainable cocoa farming model, with a specific focus on the clearing and replanting of cocoa trees infected with the swollen-shoot virus (CSSV) disease. Also, the cooperation will include agroforestry, more specifically income diversification for cocoa farmers and the planting of shade trees. In addition, Barry Callebaut and the COCOBOD will work together on making cocoa cultivation more attractive to women cocoa farmers and young cocoa farmers. Finally, both parties will intensify their cooperation on community-led engagement towards the eradication of the worst forms of child labor.
This letter of intent is an important step towards the design of a new model for sustainable cocoa farming. Combining the expertise and resources on the ground of both the COCOBOD and Barry Callebaut will lead to more impactful interventions and accelerate the progress towards a sustainable cocoa farming sector in Ghana, the second largest cocoa producer in the world.
Through the clearing of CSSV infected cocoa trees, we have the opportunity to further ensure a sustainable cocoa farming model in Ghana whilst exploring agroforestry at the same time, by replanting the cleared areas with young cocoa trees, shade trees and additional crops to diversify the income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
The signatories hope to present the first outcomes of their collaboration in early 2019.
About Barry Callebaut Group:
With annual sales of about CHF 6.8 billion (EUR 6.3 billion / USD 6.9 billion) in fiscal year 2016/17, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs close to 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of about 11,000 people.
The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®.
The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.
About the Ghana Cocoa Board (https://www.cocobod.gh)
The Ghana Cocoa Board was established by ordinance in 1947. The mission of the Board is to encourage and facilitate the production, processing and marketing of good quality cocoa, coffee and sheanut in all forms in the most efficient and cost effective manner, and maintain the best mutual industrial relation with its objectives.
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