Partnering for productivity
Direct Partnerships
Through the Growing Great Chocolate™ programme, Callebaut®
partners up with the cocoa farmer cooperative directly, enabling us
to introduce good agricultural practices, improve crop quality, and
of course, pay directly so that the farmers are guaranteed a fair
price without having to share with middlemen and traders.
Through the partnership, Callebaut® and the participating
cooperative mutually commit to work together and improve the
quality of the cocoa, the farms and the living standards of farmers
and their families.
Training
In farmer field schools, farmers are taught about the complex cocoa processes, from soil management to bean fermentation and drying. The result is clearly visible: crop yields have been increasing year after year. Furthermore, yields of top-grade cocoa beans are rising – the grade Callebaut® requires of its Finest Belgian Chocolate.
Planting new trees
Understanding the importance of planting trees, we’ve established tree nurseries, where we grow cocoa trees and the taller shade trees on which cocoa trees depend to mature properly. Cocoa farmers can buy seedlings of both types at a low price and plant both for tomorrow’s cocoa and ecological diversity.
