Barry Callebaut expands Cocoa Horizons in Ghana
Barry Callebaut is to expand its Cocoa Horizons sustainability programme in Ghana – the world’s second largest cocoa growing country – as part of efforts to secure a sustainable cocoa supply chain.
The chocolate and cocoa products supplier’s Cocoa Horizons project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa farmers through farm and community level activities. Participants are trained on good agricultural practices (GAP), good environmental practices (GEP) and good social practices (GSP). It also includes initiatives to empower women, protect children and provide basic education and health.
Barry Callebaut says the programme will be implemented through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying, which was acquired by Barry Callebaut last year.
Establishing the next generation of farmers, it adds, is a critical factor in preventing a cocoa supply shortage in years to come.
In Ghana, 7,500 farmers, representing 16 cocoa districts, are enrolled in the Cocoa Horizons Programme. That number is expected to exceed 22,000 farmers by the 2016/2017 crop year. This year, 650,000 Ghana Cedis ($161,692) will be paid out in premiums to farmers enrolled in the programme.
Nicko Debenham, VP of global cocoa sustainability for Barry Callebaut and MD of Biolands, Barry Callebaut’s direct sourcing arm, said, “Barry Callebaut is committed to the realisation of a sustainable cocoa sector in Ghana and other origin countries.
“Leveraging our presence with Nyonkopa, we can provide access to sustainability training in the areas of productivity enhancement, community development and farm services to an even greater number of cocoa farmers in Ghana.”
The programme is expected to be expanded in additional origin countries in the coming years.
