Chocolate makers stoke boom for Indian cocoa beans

Published On Nov 18, 2024, 7:00 PM

The article covers the rise of cocoa farming in India, highlighting the journey of Dr. George Matthew, who switched from rubber to cocoa production. After initial failures, he successfully cultivated cocoa trees through natural seed dispersal by squirrels. Despite India having suitable weather for cocoa, it only produces 1% of the world’s cocoa, mainly dominated by West African countries. Initiatives to improve cocoa production quality through government-backed hybrid cocoa plants are in place, aiming to boost yields and quality. Local companies, like Kocoatrait, focus on utilizing Indian cocoa beans due to their lower carbon footprint and unique flavor, but Indian farmers are still striving to enhance their production capabilities to compete internationally. With demand projected to rise yearly, the outlook for cocoa farming in India appears promising.