TANJUNG REJO, Indonesia — Amid the vibrant green of an Indonesian forest, the sound of a chainsaw rings out as a group of farmers gathers around a cocoa tree heavy with crimson seed pods. As one careful motion severs a branch, it falls softly to the ground.
“Now the tree will flourish with new fruit,” says farmer Tari Santoso, smiling at his handiwork.
In Indonesia, thousands of cocoa farmers like Santoso are collaborating with businesses and organizations to shield their crops from the harsh effects of climate change and underfunding, which have driven cocoa prices to historically high levels.
Cocoa trees require tender care: They thrive only near the equator where there’s a delicate balance of temperature, humidity, and sunlight. It takes approximately five years for these trees to produce the seeds that are transformed into chocolate and other treats.
With climate change, farmers face increased risks. Rising temperatures reduce yields, and extended rainy seasons encourage the spread of harmful fungi and pests. The weather has become less predictable, complicating farmers’ efforts to tackle these issues.
As a result, some farmers are transitioning to other crops, further reducing cocoa supply and driving up prices. By 2024, prices skyrocketed to about $12,000 per ton, inflating chocolate costs and prompting some producers to explore growing cocoa in labs.
Ranked third globally in cocoa production, behind Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana, Indonesian farmers are collaborating with businesses and nongovernmental organizations to enhance agricultural techniques and support their communities.
In the shade of his field in south Sumatra, near a national park where Sumatran tigers and rhinos wander, Santoso partners with Indonesian chocolate maker Krakakoa.
Since teaming up with Krakakoa in 2016, Santoso has adopted practices to nurture his cocoa trees effectively, such as regular pruning and grafting, which stimulate growth and prevent diseases. He also uses organic fertilizers and agroforestry methods, incorporating other crops like bananas and dragon fruit, to promote a diverse ecosystem and create alternate income streams.
“Before Krakakoa, it was tough going,” Santoso says. “After their training, things improved significantly.”
Krakakoa has trained over 1,000 cocoa farmers across Indonesia, says founder and CEO Sabrina Mustopo, while also providing financial aid. Santoso and fellow farmers in Sumatra say these alliances have allowed them to establish a cooperative that issues low-interest loans, reinvesting profits back into their community instead of external banks.
With guaranteed purchase agreements serving as collateral, farmers seeking substantial loans from state-owned banks can also find assistance through business partnerships, explains Armin Hari, a communications manager at the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership, a platform for public-private collaboration in cocoa development.
Numerous other enterprises, government bodies, and NGOs are collaborating with cocoa farmers to combat climate change, offering aid to thousands, Hari notes. He highlights a partnership between Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency and the local branch of international chocolate giant Mars, which has introduced a new cocoa variant that yields more pods per tree.
However, obstacles persist, says Rajendra Aryal, the FAO’s country director for Indonesia. Many people no longer view cocoa farming as profitable and are shifting to crops like palm oil. Additionally, many small-scale farmers still lack access to loans.
Despite these challenges, Aryal remains hopeful that ongoing cooperation between farmers and other entities will bring positive changes.
“If we address the core issues these farmers face, the sector could once more become appealing,” Aryal says. “While Indonesia grapples with challenges, there are certainly opportunities here.”
