Ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) Supports the Initiation of Cocoa Tree Rejuvenation in Southeast Sulawesi through the Mondelēz Cocoa Life Program
Indonesia, September 20, 2022-Old cocoa trees that less fruitful, even unproductive, become a major challenge for cocoa farmers. Replanting can be one of the most effective solutions to increase cocoa production in Indonesia.
As one of the largest sustainability programs, Mondelēz International, with the support of supporting partners, is taking action to support the continuation of cocoa production in Indonesia through the Cocoa Life program, which started in 2015. In 2019, the collaboration started with PT. Olam Indonesia (ofi) in Kolaka and East Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, to implement a program with a focus on replanting activities.
Cocoa Life focuses on build a sustainable cocoa plantation business, empowering cocoa farmers, and conserving and restoring forests. Cocoa Life supports farmers with knowledge of good agricultural practices (GAP) and good environmental practices (GEP) to strengthen their cocoa production while protecting the environment.
In order to support rejuvenation activities in Kolaka and East Kolaka, the Cocoa Life program empowers farmers by establishing demonstration farms and nurseries. The demonstration farm is a selected farm that carries out practical training and used as an example to demonstrate the successful application of GAP and GEP practices to farmers.
Owners of the pilot farm receive continuous training to improve their communication and skills using GAP and GEP practices such as fertilizer application, pruning, pest and disease management, and sanitation. In addition to supporting the availability of planting materials and building the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers, Cocoa Life also initiated the creation of a nursery as a farmer's business.
In the first two years, cocoa business actors are supported by providing certified seeds, and with the training provided, they are expected to be able to plant and produce high quality seeds for local farmers to replant.
In the first two years, cocoa business actors are supported by providing certified seeds, and with the training provided, they are expected to be able to plant and produce high quality seeds for local farmers to replant.
This initiative is to ensure that even after the program ends, they can run themselves as private businesses, to support replanting for local farmers, and ensure the sustainability of local cocoa in the future. (CSP/AV)