Barry Callebaut breaks ground at its first Center of Cocoa Excellence in West Africa
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Barry Callebaut AG /
Barry Callebaut breaks ground at its first Center of Cocoa Excellence in West
Africa
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Cocoa Horizons sustainability initiative at work
* New CHF 1 million training and research center to be operational from
October 2012
* "Showcase Farm" will be used to test state-of-the-art intercropping
approaches
* Cocoa farmers will receive training in grafting and farm regeneration
techniques to increase crop yields
Zurich/Switzerland, June 29, 2012 - Barry Callebaut, the world's leading
manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, announced it is
establishing a CHF 1 million (EUR 833,000 / USD 1.05 million) Center of Cocoa
Excellence to promote advanced agricultural techniques in Côte d'Ivoire, the
world's largest cocoa producing country. The Center will include training
facilities for farmers and a 30-hectare "showcase farm" to demonstrate state-of-
the-art intercropping techniques and other yield enhancement practices such as
grafting to rejuvenate aging cocoa farms and double farm productivity.
The Center of Cocoa Excellence will be situated in Pacobo in the Department of
Tiassalé in the south-central cocoa growing area of Côte d'Ivoire. A cornerstone
of Barry Callebaut's "Cocoa Horizons" global sustainability initiative, the
Center is scheduled to be operational from October 2012.
The "showcase farm" will comprise about 30 hectares, ten of which will be
planted this year starting in June. Barry Callebaut will use the farm to test
different approaches for growing cocoa with other crops. The company is building
on its prior experience with intercropping of compatible plants to improve
productivity and biodiversity. Since 2010 Barry Callebaut has supported a local
project in the region to demonstrate optimal methods of intercropping cocoa,
banana and rubber with the goal of improving yields per hectare.
Some of the crops that will be planted alongside cocoa trees on the "showcase
farm" include: plantain, coconut, mango, pineapple, beans and maize, as well as
rubber and others. Shade trees will also be planted.
"This effort reflects the importance of promoting biodiversity - planting other
food crops and shade trees in addition to cocoa - on smallholder farms," said
Anke Massart, Project Leader Cocoa Horizons in Côte d'Ivoire. "An abundant
variety of plants and trees simulates the natural diversity found in the
rainforest and results in a healthy ecosystem. This, in turn, means more
productive cocoa trees."
In addition to the environmental benefits, planting other food crops and trees
together with cocoa also directly benefits farmers and their families by
providing variety to the family diet as well as creating additional sources of
income to complement the earnings from cocoa.
Barry Callebaut's Center of Cocoa Excellence as well as five planned Farmer
Academies will be located in important cocoa-growing regions of Ivory Coast as
part of the company's Cocoa Horizons initiative. Cocoa Horizons defines a
portfolio of yield enhancement techniques aimed at increasing the yields per
hectare and quality of cocoa grown by smallholder farmers. These innovative
approaches are essential to ensure future supplies of quality cocoa and improved
livelihoods for farmers and their families.
In addition to the "showcase farm," the Center of Cocoa Excellence will also
include a building with a classroom, nurseries of cocoa and shade trees as well
as fermentation and drying facilities. From October, the Center at Pacobo will
offer training to selected farmers from about 20 cooperatives currently
participating in BC's sustainability and certification activities.
***
Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com):
With annual sales of about CHF 4.6 billion (EUR 3.6 billion/USD 5.0 billion) for
fiscal year 2010/11, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world's leading
manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate - from the cocoa bean to the
finished chocolate product. Barry Callebaut is present in 27 countries, operates
around 40 production facilities and employs a diverse and dedicated workforce of
about 6,000 people. Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry focusing on
industrial food manufacturers, artisans and professional users of chocolate
(such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs or bakers), the latter with its two global
brands Callebaut(®) and Cacao Barry(®). Barry Callebaut is the global leader in
cocoa and chocolate innovations and provides a comprehensive range of services
in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing. Cost
leadership is another important reason why global as well as local food
manufacturers work together with Barry Callebaut. Through its broad range of
sustainability initiatives and research activities, the company works with
farmers, farmer organizations and other partners to help ensure future supplies
of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods.
***
Contacts
for investors and financial analysts: for the media:
Evelyn Nassar Pilar Wolfsteller
Head of Investor Relations CSR Manager
Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG
Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 Phone: +41 43 204 05 86
evelyn_nassar(at)barry-callebaut.com pilar_wolfsteller(at)barry-callebaut.com
The complete press release can be dowloaded from the following link:
Press Release:
http://hugin.info/100441/R/1622761/518652.pdf
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
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originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Barry Callebaut AG via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1622761]
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Datum: 29.06.2012 - 04:30 Uhr
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