A new company focused entirely on cocoa is taking root in Kerala, marking what could be a significant step for farmers and exporters alike. Brown Gold Cocoa Producer Company (BGCPC) is setting up shop in Manimala, Kottayam, with plans to improve the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the state.
The initiative is backed by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kayamkulam and will also receive financial support from NABARD
This is not a brand-new venture but rather an evolution of an existing cooperative society into a full-fledged company. The move is expected to make it easier for farmers to access better facilities, reduce their reliance on middlemen, and tap into export markets more efficiently. K.J. Varghese will chair the company.
Cocoa has long been grown in Kerala, and Manimala has a history of cultivation spanning over 50 years. But interest in the crop has fluctuated over time. Now, with global demand for cocoa rising, there seems to be a renewed push to expand production.
BGCPC is even looking beyond Kerala, planning to lease farmland in other states, particularly in Meghalaya and other northeastern regions of India, to scale up operations.
The company plans to bring 150 farmers on board in the first year, with the goal of expanding this number to 750 within five years. Farmers involved in the initiative will also receive company shares, potentially giving them a more direct stake in the business. Additionally, government subsidies may be available to those taking up cocoa cultivation under this scheme.
The timing of this move is interesting. India has traditionally imported a significant amount of cocoa from Africa, but those imports have now dropped.
In response, major chocolate manufacturers like Mondelez International (makers of Cadbury) are reportedly looking to expand cocoa cultivation within South India.
Other big names, including Nestlé and several domestic chocolate producers, have also shown interest in sourcing cocoa locally.
With the arrival of Kerala’s first cocoa-exclusive company and the increasing demand from Indian chocolate makers, some believe that cocoa farming could see a revival in the state. Once a common crop in rural Kerala, cocoa cultivation had taken a backseat in recent years.
But if things go as planned, this could be a fresh opportunity for farmers to reconsider the crop as a reliable source of income.
