Certified cocoa is cocoa that is farmed sustainably with respect to farmers’ incomes and human rights.
Callebaut’s partner of choice, the Rainforest Alliance, runs one such certification scheme, delivering training to farmers to improve yields and carrying out audits of farms to ensure no child labour occurs.
The farmers will receive training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) from Callebaut. With the support of Rainforest Allianceand they intend to provide support in setting up internal control systems and improve administrative procedures in the next year.
A thousand farmers from five cooperatives in the Central region of Cameroon are expected to benefit from the agreement.
Boosting yields
Nicholas Camu, Group Manager “of Callebaut’s sustainable cocoa scheme ‘Cocoa Horizons’ said: “We see a great opportunity to start work with farmer organizations and producers in Cameroon who are interested in improving yields and quality by growing cocoa in a sustainable way.”
“It’s the first time these farmer groups are taking a serious look at the potential benefits of training to achieve certification. We’re proud to be collaborating with the Rainforest Alliance to help enable these pioneering cooperatives reach their ambitious sustainability goals.”
Cocoa Horizons scheme
Barry Callebaut began collaborating with Rainforest Alliance in the Ivory Coast in 2010.
The chocolate processing firm launched a $41m (CHF 40m ) sustainable cocoa initiative called Cocoa Horizons in March this year. (See HERE)