In Tanjung Rejo, Indonesia, the forest echoes with the sound of a chainsaw as a small group of farmers cluster around a tree brimming with red seed pods. With a deliberate swipe, a knotty branch falls to the ground. “This will help the tree grow new fruit,” farmer Tari Santoso remarks with a grin.
In Indonesia, like Santoso, thousands of cocoa farmers are collaborating with businesses and organizations to shield their crops from the harsh impacts of climate change and neglect, which have driven cocoa prices to unprecedented heights.
Cocoa trees are demanding to cultivate, thriving only in equatorial regions that offer specific conditions of temperature, humidity, and sunlight. It takes five years for a tree to bear the seeds used to produce cocoa for chocolate and other delights.
The unpredictable climate poses challenges for farmers, with hotter temperatures diminishing yields and lengthier rainy seasons facilitating the spread of diseases and harmful pests. As a result, farmers are diversifying into other crops, further dwindling cocoa supplies and escalating prices.
Indonesia ranks as the world’s third-largest cocoa producer, after Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana. Farmers are teaming up with businesses and NGOs to enhance their farming techniques and enhance their livelihoods.
Farmer Santoso, nestled in the forest of south Sumatra, partners with Indonesian chocolate maker Krakakoa. Since working with the company in 2016, Santoso has adopted practices like regular pruning, grafting, and integrating agroforestry to boost his cocoa trees’ health and productivity.
Krakakoa has trained over 1,000 cocoa farmers in Indonesia, providing financial backing to support their efforts. Farmers like Santoso have formed cooperatives that offer low-interest loans and benefit from guaranteed buyer agreements with businesses to secure larger loans.
Through collaborations with various stakeholders, including businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and cooperatives, cocoa farmers in Indonesia are better equipped to adapt to climate change and improve their resilience, ultimately benefiting thousands in the industry.
The international chocolate maker Mars has recently introduced a new cocoa variant that increases pod production per tree. Challenges persist, according to Rajendra Aryal, the FAO’s country director for Indonesia. Cocoa farming is viewed as less profitable by many, leading them to plant alternative crops like palm oil. Additionally, small-scale farmers continue to struggle to access loans. Aryal remains hopeful that ongoing collaboration among farmers and other stakeholders will address these issues and make the sector more appealing to farmers. Despite the obstacles in Indonesia, Aryal sees potential opportunities for growth. ___Financial support for The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage comes from various private foundations. AP is responsible for all content. Visit AP.org for information on AP’s standards for partnering with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and the topics covered by funded reports.
