Chocolate manufacturers back GP-SCPP for sustainable cocoa production in Indonesia

MCP-Indonesia and the Swisscontact Consortium, which has World Cocoa Foundation members including Barry Callebaut, BT Cocoa, Cargill, Guittard, Mars, Mondelēz International and Nestlé, have entered in to a partnership called Green Prosperity – Sustainable Cocoa Production Programme (GP-SCPP).

The overall goal of GP-SCPP is to reduce poverty and greenhouse gas emissions in the Indonesian cocoa sector. Signed on 31 March 2015 in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, the partnership combines equal investment from the consortium and MCA-I and will bring $15 million to the cocoa sector in Indonesia. GP-SCPP will run until 30 March 2018.

“This agreement will enable farmers to increase their productivity, and thus their income, and improve household livelihoods, a common goal for both the cocoa industry and the Green Prosperity Project” said Swisscontact Country Director Indonesia and consortium leader, Manfred Borer, during the launch of the programme at Nestlé’s Demo farm in Mamuju. “The programme also strengthens commercial relationships between service providers, input suppliers, cocoa smallholder farmers, and cocoa supply chain.”

GP-SCPP goal is to establish a self-sustaining model where farmers will increase their cocoa revenues

GP-SCPP will strengthen skills and knowledge of 2,000 farmer groups – consisting of 58,000 cocoa farmers benefitting also women and vulnerable groups – in environmentally friendly cocoa farming, improved nutrition practices, and application of prudent financial practices. Moreover, the programme also works with national and local Governments, the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP), and regional cocoa forums to ensure strategic alignment and promoting knowledge management in the sector.

GP-SCPP is implemented in the heart of cocoa production in Indonesia and spreads across 14 districts in South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara Provinces. The programme promotes inclusive business models embracing all stakeholders along the cocoa value chain. The ultimate purpose is to establish a self-sustaining model where participating farmers will increase their cocoa revenues and companies that integrate services into their business model.

“This grant marks the first of many Green Prosperity Project agreements that will improve people’s well-being in Indonesia,” said Chairman of Board of Trustees of MCA-Indonesia, Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo on March 31, 2015. “This partnership will not only enable farmers to increase their productivity and their incomes, but brings the value of cooperation which is crucial for sustainability and future economic growth.”

For more information about the World Cocoa Foundation, please visit worldcocoafoundation.org.