Executive Summary:
This document addresses cocoa production promotion in India, responding to questions raised in Lok Sabha. It outlines government studies, production statistics, and initiatives to support cocoa farming, including addressing price fluctuations. The document includes production data for the last five years (2019-2024) and details of assistance provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Cocoa Farming Studies:**
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) has conducted studies across multiple states to evaluate cocoa cultivation suitability.
* These studies include field evaluations of cocoa clones, hybrids, and multi-location trials under coconut and oil palm canopies.
* **Cocoa Production:**
* State-wise cocoa production details for the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) are provided in Annexure I, including data for Andhra Pradesh, where Eluru is a major cocoa-producing district.
* All India cocoa production increased from 25.80 '000 MT in 2019-20 to 30.39 '000 MT in 2023-24.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Cocoa cultivation is promoted through the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), covering all States and Union Territories.
* The Directorate of Cashewnut & Cocoa Development (DCCD), Kochi, supports area expansion, productivity enhancement, and technology transfer.
* During the last five years, 1218 hectares have been brought under cocoa cultivation.
* 11 cocoa nurseries with a capacity of 33.55 lakh hybrid seedlings have been accredited for quality planting material production.
* ICAR-CPCRI has released 8 cocoa varieties with improved yields and developed scientific cultivation methods.
* Details of assistance for cocoa plantation under MIDH are in Annexure II.
* **Price Fluctuation and Farmer Support:**
* Cocoa prices are market-driven.
* The Government of Andhra Pradesh sanctioned ₹14.88 crore in 2024-25 for procuring unsold cocoa beans at a support price of ₹50/kg.
* 2358.92 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of cocoa beans were procured from 3776 farmers.
Impact Analysis:
* **Cocoa Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from government schemes promoting cocoa cultivation, access to quality planting materials, and potential support in addressing price fluctuations through state-level procurement.
* *Action Required:* Engage with relevant government agencies (DCCD, State Agriculture Department) to avail benefits under MIDH and other schemes.
* **State Governments (Andhra Pradesh):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing cocoa promotion schemes, including procurement at support prices, and facilitating access to resources for cocoa farmers.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing support schemes, monitor cocoa prices, and ensure efficient procurement processes to protect farmers from price volatility.
* **ICAR-CPCRI:**
* *Impact:* Tasked with conducting research, developing improved cocoa varieties and cultivation methods, and disseminating knowledge to farmers and stakeholders.
* *Action Required:* Continue research efforts, release new varieties, and provide training and technical support to promote sustainable cocoa farming practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): A government scheme promoting cocoa cultivation across all States and Union Territories in India.
Directorate of Cashewnut Cocoa Development (DCCD), Kochi: Nodal agency under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare supporting cocoa area expansion, productivity enhancement and technology transfer.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organisation responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI): An institute under ICAR that has undertaken studies to promote cocoa cultivation.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India with significant cocoa production, particularly in the Eluru district.
Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh: A major cocoa producing district in Andhra Pradesh.
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Cocoa: A commercial crop whose production is being promoted through various government schemes and research initiatives.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2700
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05TH AUGUST, 2025
PROMOTION OF COCOA PRODUCTION
2700. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण
म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any study/ survey regarding cocoa farming
across the country during the last five years;
(b) if so, the details regarding the total amount of cocoa production during the last five
years across the country, State and district-wise in Andhra Pradesh especially from Eluru
district;
(c) the details regarding the steps undertaken by the Government to promote cocoa
production in the country, including the list of schemes/ initiatives regarding the same during
the last five years; and
(d) whether the Government has undertaken any steps to address the price fluctuations
and additional concerns as raised by cocoa farmers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the
reason therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Central Plantation Crops
Research Institute (CPCRI) has undertaken studies across various states to promote cocoa
cultivation which includes experimental evaluation of cocoa genotypes under nine centres at
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra and Karnataka
during the last five years for its soil, climate suitability and field evaluation of cocoa clones &
hybrids and multi-location trials under coconut and oil palm plantation canopies.The state wise production details of cocoa for the last five years, including Andhra
Pradesh are given at Annexure-I. Eluru is one of the major cocoa producing Districts in
Andhra Pradesh.
(c): The Government promotes cocoa cultivation through the Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which covers all States and Union Territories (UTs)
including Andhra Pradesh. The details of the assistance for promotion of Cocoa plantation
under MIDH are given at Annexure-II. The Directorate of Cashewnut & Cocoa
Development (DCCD), Kochi under the Department acts as the nodal agency and supports
area expansion, productivity enhancement and technology transfer. During the last five
years, 1218 hectares have been brought under cocoa cultivation by the Directorate.
Additionally, 11 cocoa nurseries with a capacity of 33.55 lakh hybrid seedlings have been
accredited for quality planting material production. ICAR-CPCRI has released 8 cocoa
varieties with improved yields and developed scientific cultivation methods such as canopy
management, high-density planting, hedge systems and multispecies cropping.
(d): Cocoa being a commercial crop, its prices are market-driven and influenced by
international and domestic factors. The Government of Andhra Pradesh during 2024-25 has
sanctioned ₹14.88 crore for procurement of unsold cocoa beans at a support price of
₹50/kilogram (kg). A total of 2358.92 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of cocoa beans were procured
from 3776 farmers through various agencies.Annexure-I
The state wise production details of cocoa for the last five years in India
Production in '000 MT
Sl.
STATE/UT's 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
No.
Andhra
1 Pradesh 10.40 10.90 11.45 12.14 12.38
Karnataka
2 3.50 3.70 3.91 4.06 4.14
Kerala
3 9.20 9.60 10.13 10.54 10.75
Tamil Nadu
4 2.70 2.80 2.94 3.06 3.12
All India 25.80 27.00 28.43 29.80 30.39Annexure-II
Details of the assistance for promotion of Cocoa plantation under MIDH
Component Cost Norms Pattern of Assistance
Area Expansion of Assistance @40% in general areas for an area upto
Cashew and Cocoa 2 ha. on pro-rata basis for meeting the expenditure
on planting material and other input cost of in 2
(a) Without drip Rs 75,000 /ha. instalments of 60:40 subject to survival rate of 80%
in 2nd year.
Irrigation
In the case of NE & Himalayan States, Scheduled
(i) Regular Spacing
areas, vibrant villages, Andaman & Nicobar and
(drip should be in
Lakshadweep Islands, assistance will be @ 50% for
converged with other
an area upto 2 ha. on pro rata basis.
schemes)
(b) With Intercropping Rs 50,000 /ha.
******