Innovation

With innovative approaches, challenges in the cocoa value chain can be addressed in a targeted manner and thereby contribute significantly to more sustainability in the sector. The Cocoa Platform therefore promotes innovation in all target areas of the Roadmap 2030.

There are various approaches to improving farmers' incomes: From increasing cultivation productivity to greater diversification of production steps and the product range to increasing domestic value creation through local processing of cocoa beans. Innovative approaches are needed to achieve the most efficient and sustainable improvements. Today's challenges in the value chain should be addressed in new ways and old, no longer proven approaches (so-called path dependency) should be overcome.

Examples of innovative approaches are the commercial use of the pulp of cocoa pods as a sweetener in chocolate production, the production of biofertiliser from natural raw materials or digital approaches to individual payment of premiums. In addition to the use or development of new technologies, innovation can also involve new management approaches or forms of cooperation.

Innovation is a key priority for Cocoa Platform members and therefore a second important cross-cutting theme in the Roadmap 2030, alongside gender equality. Cocoa Platform members are encouraged to test innovative approaches and share experiences with each other.

Learn more about the Roadmap 2030

Innovation was a leitmotif of the projects in cocoa-growing countries supported by SECO under its funding of public-private partnerships from 2018-2022. You can find all the projects here.