An important step toward sustainable cocoa production

On October 22, the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam (PGPV) Company and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), held a conference to summarize the "Regenerative cocoa production to support livelihood development in Vietnam" (ReCoPro) project in Dak Lak province.

The event brought together more than 50 delegates representing state agencies, international organizations, the private sector, and cocoa cooperatives to evaluate project outcomes, share lessons learned, and discuss directions for the sustainable development of Vietnam's cocoa industry.

According to Ms. Dang Thi Thuy, Deputy Director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, cocoa is a highly potential crop, helping diversify crops, increase income, protect the environment, and adapt to climate change. The Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee is directing the development of a sustainable cocoa development project. This project's objective is to build a comprehensive cocoa value chain, from production and processing to consumption, ensuring economic, social, and environmental efficiency and aiming at low emissions, green growth, and international integration.

Building eight demonstration models

The ReCoPro project, jointly implemented by PGPV Company and the GIZ organization, is carried out in Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces from November 2021 to November 2025. The project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of small-scale cocoa farming households by diversifying their income sources.

After four years of implementation, the project has marked an important milestone in the journey toward the sustainable development of the cocoa industry, showcasing the power of collaboration according to supply chains and delivering long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits.

The project has provided nearly 90,000 seedlings to 300 farmer households, based on experts' assessments of farm conditions, along with technical guidance and periodic monitoring. In addition, 88 training sessions and field demonstrations were organized, attracting more than 2,000 participants, helping farmers adopt regenerative agricultural practices, improve farm management, and develop business skills.

The techniques introduced under the project have shown effectiveness in both cultivation and economics. For example, the drip irrigation system has helped farmers reduce water use by up to 30%, optimize fertilizer efficiency, and significantly cut labor requirements for watering and fertilizing.

Farmers have also been trained to utilize agricultural by-products such as cocoa husks, leaves, and other organic materials to produce compost, improving soil fertility and reducing input costs. These regenerative practices enable cocoa trees to thrive under changing climate conditions while promoting sustainable agricultural production and environmental protection.

Additionally, the project has built eight demonstration gardens in Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, equipped with drip irrigation systems and composting facilities. Participating households received regular visits from project experts, who provided guidance in regenerative practices such as composting cocoa husks and cow manure, using microbial and Trichoderma solutions for pest management and soil improvement, and raising weaver ants as a natural pest control method. These models have delivered clear results in improving productivity, cocoa quality, and protecting the environment.

Particularly, two demonstration farms in Ea Kar (Dak Lak) increased wet bean yields by 1.5 times compared to the period before applying regenerative farming practices (2023–2025) and to other conventional gardens in the area.

Further empowering farmers

Beyond technical support, the project also focused on strengthening farmers' business skills. Cooperatives received assistance in marketing, e-commerce, and brand development. Farmers were trained to promote their products on digital platforms, improve packaging to meet market demands, and enhance cooperative branding. The combination of technical and business support has expanded market access, built confidence, and stabilized farmers' incomes.

Mr. Daniel Herrmann, Head of Climate Policy at GIZ Vietnam, stated, "This project is a typical example demonstrating that climate-adaptive cocoa cultivation can help increase productivity and income for farmers while contributing to climate action programs."

According to Mr. Daniel Herrmann, the lessons learned from the development partnership between Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam and the GIZ organization within the framework of the ReCoPro project will contribute to shaping future initiatives, scaling up regenerative farming practices, and further empowering farmers to participate in Vietnam's green transition process.

Women have been encouraged to take part in training courses and production activities, contributing to higher household incomes and community development. Their role in cocoa cultivation has been considered in the design of farming models. A representative of Nhat Tam Agricultural Service Cooperative, one of the units supported by the project, shared that women's active participation has improved households’ lives and strengthened their leadership role in the community.

The project has also piloted the initial components of a community-based carbon finance mechanism to reward farmers for their efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Under this initiative, farmers received incentive payments of about VND 3,000-4,000 per surviving tree during the first two monitoring rounds.

Mr. Justin Jacquat, Cocoa Manager for the Asia-Pacific region at Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam, shared, "We collaborate with the GIZ organization because both sides share the ambition to build a cocoa value chain that is not only productive but also regenerative, inclusive, and sustainable in the future."

"Beyond improving productivity, we also pay attention to enhancing farmers’ knowledge, continuously improving traceability, and laying the foundation for a deforestation-free cocoa industry in line with the EU's regulations in the coming time. Wherever we operate, our Cocoa-Trace program is committed to ensuring long-term, stable cocoa purchasing. This means we guarantee consistent and sustainable buying from farmers," Mr. Justin Jacquat emphasized.