Barry Callebaut launches Forever Chocolate programme in Indonesia

Global chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut has introduced its first Forever Chocolate pilot programme in Indonesia.

The pilot programme aims to improve cocoa farming in the cocoa growing regions.

Barry Callebaut has designed the pilot programmes to test the theories of change to improve sustainable cocoa production.

As part of the initiative, the chocolate manufacturer has collaborated with the Wageningen University and Research, which will provide scientific support to offer the baseline and analytical framework that will be used by the company to assess the outcomes.

By implementing the pilot programme, Barry Callebaut intends to increase the income of the cocoa farmers, eradicate child labour, and transform cocoa farming into a carbon-positive industry.

After Indonesia, Barry Callebaut will be launching its pilot programme to other cocoa-growing countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Brazil.

Oliver Von Hagen, who is responsible for the Forever Chocolate pilots said: “The launch of the pilots is the formal start for the collection of the data we need to measure baseline and progress, and identify critical impact factors.

“It also means kicking off our work with the many partners we will engage within the course of the pilots, and, of course, testing innovative tools and approaches.

“Our goal for this year is to get all five pilots running and have first intermediate results towards the end of the year.

“It is important to highlight that these pilots seek to accelerate our progress towards our Forever Chocolate goals, foster our impact on the ground and facilitate partnerships on this journey.

“This also includes instigating an enabling environment, with support from NGO’s, governments, and industry partners.”