India aims for cocoa self-sufficiency by 2040

                                                                                                          Professor R. S. Sengar

A knowledge paper on the cocoa sector, developed by Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with FICCI and released at the Cocoa Roundtable, outlined a long- term vision to transform India into a self-sufficient, globally competitive cocoa economy by 2040-41.

The 2026-40 roadmap to-wards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in cocoa recommended the establishment of a 'National Mission on Cocoa' and the need for research and development (R&D) and innovation in the sector.

It also suggested policy and financial support measures, as well as trade and market reforms, in addition to digital transformation in the sector.
 

THREE PHASES

In the first phase (2026-28), the paper calls for launching a National Cocoa Mission and setting up a Centre of Excellence (CoE).

It also proposes establishing about 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across States.

The second phase (2028-30) focuses on capacity building, including setting up regional CoE hubs and training nearly 1 lakh farmers. It also targets distribution of around 25 million seedlings and proposes a pilot digital farmer registry and traceability system.

The third phase (2030-35) aims to expand cocoa cultiv- ation to 1 lakh hectares and improve yields. It calls for scaling up R&D and promoting cocoa processing, with a goal of meeting 50 per cent of domestic demand through local production.

The paper envisioned that India should be self-sufficient in cocoa production during the final phase (2035-40) and be promoted as a global cocoa processing hub. This should also be the phase where farmers' incomes improve significantly.

The paper also recommended implementing 100 per cent digital traceability during the period.

GROWTH IN OFFTAKE

The knowledge paper said that domestic demand is ex- pected to rise at a CAGR of 5.5 per cent, with consumption reaching 4.67 lakh tonnes of cocoa beans by 2040, while India currently meets less than 20 per cent of its total requirement.

This structural shortfall has pushed India into heavy reliance on imports, with an- nual inflows exceeding $866 million.

A media statement said that the roundtable on 'India's Cocoa Future: Self Sufficiency and Global Value Chain Integration' was held in New Delhi with the launch of the knowledge paper, 'Empowering the cocoa sector: A strategic roadmap for driving Aatmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable farming'.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said cocoa, a largely import-dependent crop, faces key challenges in production and post-harvest management in India.

Syed Junaid Altaf, Chair- person, FICCI Task Force on Horticulture and Group Executive Director, FIL, said cocoa had significant untapped potential to raise farm incomes, deepen agriindustry linkages and drive value-added, export-led growth.

Chirag Jain, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, em- phasised the need for stronger value-chain collaboration.

Writer: Professor R. S. Sengar, Director Training and Placement, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut.