#Indonesia #Lotte #dari K

Lotte's Initiative to Support Cocoa Farmers in Indonesia

In a remarkable move to enhance cocoa production in Indonesia, Lotte Co., Ltd., through its chocolate brand, dari K, has generously donated a cocoa seedling center on the island of Sulawesi. This effort comes after recognizing the significant challenges faced by local cocoa farmers, where many cocoa trees are over 30 to 40 years old, resulting in a sharp decline in productivity. The common perception is that cocoa trees peak at around 15 years of age; thus, the age of the trees in the region has become a worrying issue.

Despite the farmers’ increasing awareness of the need to replant crops, there has been a persistent lack of high-quality seedlings available locally, making it difficult for them to invest in rejuvenating their farms. Understanding these challenges, Lotte has taken the step of establishing a seedling center that aims to provide sustainable solutions for cocoa cultivation.

Enhancing Cocoa Quality and Strengthening Employment

The newly created seedling center is not just a facility that produces high-quality cocoa seedlings. It is also set to serve as a vibrant hub for the local economy. The center is expected to produce 15,000 seedlings annually, with aims to ramp up production to 60,000 seedlings by 2030. This initiative not only addresses the need for quality cocoa production but also contributes to job creation and the development of future cocoa growers through training programs at the facility.

Lotte's approach to this endeavor is rooted in building a robust agricultural structure that elevates the quality of cocoa sourced from Sulawesi. Ownership of the cocoa seedling center will be entrusted to local partner, PT UNTUK INDONESIA HIJAU, reflecting a commitment to empowering local communities. This collaboration aims to strengthen relationships with farmers and local partners while ensuring stability and sustainability in cacao production.

Cocoa Seedling Center Overview

• - Production Capacity: 15,000 seedlings per year
• - Location: Mappilau District, Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi
• - Ownership: PT UNTUK INDONESIA HIJAU

About dari K Chocolate

dari K is dedicated to creating chocolate from carefully cultivated cocoa sourced from local farmers in Sulawesi. The brand prides itself on using select ingredients and simple recipes to create chocolate that embodies the natural fruity flavor of cocoa. The core philosophy revolves around being an