The Hindu Business Line : `Cocoa supply unable to meet demand'

DESPITE all the efforts put in by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the country has not become self-sufficient in cocoa. The average production is only around 8,000 tonnes of dry beans per annum now, which is insufficient to meet the requirements of even one company, Cadbury India Ltd. The rest of the domestic requirement is met by imports according to Mr Thomas John, Cocoa Adviser, Cadbury India.

There must be an awakening by all concerned including Governments of various States. The farmers who have potential areas in the Southern States must make full use of this opportunity and enhance production to meet the ever-growing domestic demand. There are over 51,800 acres under cocoa in the country shared by about 58,238 farmers, Mr Thomas John told Business Line.

Indonesia, which is much smaller than the State of Kerala, is the third largest producer and supplier of cocoa beans in the world. If Indonesia could reach that level, there wais no reason why India could not become the number one supplier for world cocoa requirements. Quality of Indian cocoa was better than what is produced by the South-East Asian countries, he said.

State Governments in the South should take more interest in giving all support to the development of this crop. Karnataka, which takes more interest in its production, is distributing planting materials free-of-cost and it is the only State, which has reduced the purchase tax from 13 per cent to 4 per cent. In all other states, including Kerala, it is high.

Andhra and Tamil Nadu also encourage cocoa cultivation. Apart from these States, the only other agency which is actively involved in the development of this crop and incurring expenditure is Cadbury India Ltd. Cadbury works along with Horticultural Departments in these States. It identifies potential farmers who own suitable coconut farms.

Cocoa is cultivated as an intercrop in coconut gardens in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Vast areas under coconut farms are not available in Kerala as in the case of other Southern States.

Farmers should realise and become aware of the potential of this crop and instead of every one running after vanilla, they should seriously think of cultivating cocoa. The dry beans of cocoa costs Rs 80.00 a kg now, which is a highly remunerative price as the cost of production is not more than Rs 25 a kg.

The world cocoa requirement is always going up. Many are not aware of the fact that the use of Cocoa is not for chocolate alone. Major part of cocoa in European Countries is now mainly used for facial creams, lipsticks, medicinal creams etc. The most expensive facial creams are lipsticks, the base of which is cocoa butter. World over it is used for cosmetic products and medicinal creams. Cocoa butter is recommended for patients with serious skin disorders. India is not producing cocoa to meet even half of its requirements. The country needs to enhance its existing production to attain self-sufficiency. The Centre and the state governments should take appropriate measures to expand the area under cocoa. There is also much scope for its development in North Eastern States particularly Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.