Chocolate consumption can lead to feelings of relaxation and happiness due to the amino acid tryptophan, which triggers serotonin, a hormone that provides feelings of happiness and prevents depression. Cocoa farmers in Indonesia are struggling to meet the demand for cocoa beans, the main ingredient in chocolate. In 2021–2022, Indonesia will become the seventh cocoa-producing country in the world, but global cocoa bean production decreases annually. The aging factor of cocoa trees is one of the causes of this decline. Muh Aris, a cocoa farmer in Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, experiences a decline in cocoa production every year. Through a Cargill-provided training program, he learned side grafting and top grafting techniques, which helped him increase his cocoa production and income by providing education on sustainable practices and offering subsidies for superior seeds. Digitalization efforts are also being implemented to provide transparency and traceability to customers, making the cocoa farming sector more attractive to the younger generation. However, only around 30% of the younger generation wants to continue their parents' cocoa plantations, and most of the national contribution to cocoa beans comes from smallholder plantations. Since imports continue to support domestic demand for cocoa beans, the regeneration of cocoa farmers is essential.Link di fonte: https://www.kompas.id/baca/ekonomi/2023/09/16/secuil-kebahagiaan-petani-cokelat (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Kompas - 18 September 2023