Chocolate has transitioned from a luxury item to a widely beloved sweet, with its global consumption reaching approximately 7.3 million tons annually, as reported by the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI).
Despite chocolate’s immense popularity, the cacao bean farmers endure significant financial hardships. On average, they earn merely 6% of the final retail price of a chocolate bar. This economic struggle is compounded by their limited access to direct market channels, often forcing them to sell their crops through intermediaries at reduced prices. The small and fragmented nature of their farms further diminishes their negotiating power.
In response to these issues, Dimitra, a leader in agricultural technology, has introduced the Connected Cacao app. This initiative aims to empower cacao farmers by enhancing their production management capabilities.
Dimitra is collaborating with various organizations, including the Peruvian Association of Cocoa Producers (APPCACAO), Helvetas, Open Food Chain, ABRAFRUTAS, and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE/RR). These partnerships focus on employing blockchain technology to boost efficiency, traceability, and sustainability in cacao farming.
The Connected Cacao platform integrates blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to offer a comprehensive farm management solution. This system enhances resource utilization, minimizes waste, and elevates productivity. Its traceability feature ensures transparent tracking of cacao beans from farm to consumer, facilitating access to premium markets and fair pricing.
The EU’s stringent deforestation-free regulation poses an additional challenge for farmers. Dimitra’s app, integrated with the Deforestation Compliance Module, assists farmers in adhering to these environmental standards by documenting their land-use practices.
Diego Costa, Dimitra’s director of Latin America, highlights the uniqueness of the Connected Cacao platform in supporting cacao producers, particularly in light of the EU’s deforestation laws.
The platform not only provides analytics for performance tracking but also serves as an educational resource on various aspects of cacao farming. It promotes sustainable practices, aligning with the increasing demand for fair trade products.
Numerous cooperatives and organizations across Latin America, including Helvetas, CEPROAA, APROCAM, PANGOA, Manasaba, La Divisoria, Cacao Alto Huallaga, CAI Apasc, and Satipo, have adopted the Connected Cacao app. Their goal is to enhance their members’ livelihoods and promote sustainable cacao production.
Dimitra is committed to evolving its offerings to meet the diverse needs of farmers globally. By partnering with governments, NGOs, and farmer groups, Dimitra is bringing cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI to farming communities worldwide, identifying and leveraging opportunities for technological advancement in agriculture.
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