Barry Callebaut and the government of Cameroon signed a letter of intent May 23, to intensify the cooperation on sustainable cocoa farming, in particular, supporting the next generation of cocoa farmers. Barry Callebaut and the Cameroon government aim to support the next generation of cocoa farmers from Cameroon through the “New Generation” program by establishing access to family farm plots, training, inputs, financing and equipment acquisition.

The program, launched in 2012 by the Cameroon Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council (CICC), was established to rejuvenate cocoa farms, introduce young Cameroonians into cocoa farming and lower the average age for cocoa farmers in Cameroon. In addition, the focus will be on cocoa farmer income diversification programs, by promoting, next to cocoa farming, the cultivation of other agricultural products and the marketing of these products. The program aims for the establishment of Centres of Excellence for post-harvest treatment, as well as the systematization of good agriculture and post-harvest practices.