How Indonesian Cocoa Farmers Are Fighting Climate Challenges

How Indonesian Cocoa Farmers Are Fighting Climate Challenges \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Indonesian cocoa farmers are adapting to climate change with sustainable farming techniques to protect their crops and livelihoods. Farmers like Tari Santoso are partnering with businesses such as Krakakoa, using pruning, agroforestry, and organic fertilizers to improve yields. Despite climate challenges and record cocoa prices, these efforts offer hope for the future of Indonesia’s cocoa industry.

Indonesian Cocoa Farming: Quick Looks

• Cocoa Prices Surge: Global cocoa prices hit $12,000 per ton in 2024, nearly tripling due to climate change and supply shortages.
• Indonesia’s Role: The country is the third-largest cocoa producer globally, after Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
• Climate Challenges: Rising temperatures, heavy rains, and disease outbreaks threaten cocoa tree health and yields.
• Farmers Adapting: Many are pruning trees, integrating agroforestry techniques, and using organic fertilizers.
• Business Partnerships: Companies like Krakakoa are training farmers, providing financial aid and sustainable farming techniques.
• Cooperative Support: Low-interest loan programs and government-backed financing help farmers invest in better practices.
• Future Outlook: While challenges remain, continued collaboration between farmers, businesses, and researchers could revitalize Indonesia’s cocoa sector.

Deep Look

Cocoa Farmers Face Rising Challenges from Climate Change

The whirr of chainsaws echoes through an Indonesian cocoa farm, where farmers carefully prune trees to promote growth and fight disease. Tari Santoso, a cocoa farmer from South Sumatra, smiles as a freshly cut branch hits the ground.

“Now it will help the tree grow new fruit,” Santoso explains.

Like thousands of cocoa farmers across Indonesia, Santoso is battling the growing impact of climate change, which has led to lower yields, increased diseases, and unpredictable weather patterns. With cocoa prices soaring to $12,000 per ton in 2024, farmers are adopting innovative farming techniques to ensure long-term sustainability.

Why Cocoa Farming Is So Fragile

Cocoa trees are high-maintenance crops, requiring a precise combination of steady temperatures, humidity, and sunlight. It takes five years for a tree to produce cocoa pods, making it vulnerable to climate shifts.

Climate change presents severe risks for cocoa farmers:

• Hotter temperatures reduce yields.
• Longer rainy seasons promote fungal infections and deadly pests.
• Unpredictable weather patterns make planning and harvesting more difficult.

As conditions worsen, many farmers abandon cocoa farming, switching to more resilient crops like palm oil, further reducing global cocoa supplies and driving up prices.

How Farmers Are Fighting Back

Santoso and other farmers are embracing new techniques to adapt and thrive, thanks to partnerships with businesses, NGOs, and cooperatives.

One major success story is Krakakoa, an Indonesian chocolate maker working directly with cocoa farmers to train them in sustainable agriculture.

“It wasn’t very successful before we met Krakakoa,” Santoso admits. “But then, we received training … things are much better.”

Since 2016, Krakakoa has trained over 1,000 cocoa farmers in techniques like:

• Regular pruning and grafting – Encourages tree regeneration and higher yields.
• Agroforestry – Farmers integrate other crops like bananas, dragon fruit, coffee, and pepper to create a healthier ecosystem.
• Organic fertilizers – Reduces dependency on chemicals while improving soil quality.
• Disease prevention – Farmers are trained to identify and manage cocoa tree diseases early.

Financial Support: Helping Farmers Sustain Cocoa Production

Beyond technical training, financial stability is crucial for cocoa farmers. Many struggle to access loans due to lack of collateral or high-interest rates from banks.

To address this, Krakakoa has helped farmers form cooperatives that offer low-interest loans.

“Instead of paying interest to outside banks, farmers repay loans into the cooperative, benefiting the entire community,” explains a local farmer.

Additionally, government-backed loans have become more accessible to cocoa farmers, as buyer agreements with businesses now serve as collateral for larger loans.

“These partnerships give farmers the financial security they need to invest in better techniques,” said Armin Hari, a spokesperson for the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership.

Indonesia’s Cocoa Industry: Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

To further boost cocoa production and climate resilience, multiple organizations have joined forces:

• Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency partnered with international chocolate maker Mars to develop a new cocoa variety that produces more pods per tree.
• Dozens of NGOs and private businesses are funding research into climate-resistant cocoa farming methods.
• The government is working to ensure more farmers access financial support and technical training.

Challenges Still Remain

Despite these efforts, major hurdles persist:

• Declining interest in cocoa farming – Younger generations favor more profitable crops like palm oil.
• Access to financing – Many small-scale farmers still struggle to secure loans.
• Climate unpredictability – Even with better farming techniques, extreme weather remains a constant threat.

However, experts believe the industry can recover.

“If we can address the major challenges these farmers face, cocoa farming can become attractive again,” says Rajendra Aryal, FAO’s country director for Indonesia. “Despite the difficulties, there are real opportunities.”

Conclusion: Can Indonesia’s Cocoa Industry Overcome the Crisis?

Indonesia’s cocoa industry is at a turning point. While climate change and economic pressures threaten its future, farmers, businesses, and researchers are working together to develop sustainable solutions.

With continued investment in better farming techniques, financial support, and collaboration, Indonesia has the potential to revive its cocoa sector and ensure a future for its farmers.

As cocoa prices soar and demand for sustainable chocolate rises, the question remains: Can Indonesia’s cocoa farmers weather the storm and rebuild their industry?

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