TAMIL NADU: The demand for cocoa in India is on the rise. Farmers in Tamil Nadu are realizing that they can get a good price for their crop and they are starting to cultivate cocoa instead of traditional rice and oil seeds.

The present production of cocoa in India is around 10,000 tonnes, whereas the demand is double that figure.

The cocoa crop has grown extensively over nearly 750,000 hectares across Tamil Nadu. The plant is not space intensive as the cocoa shrubs sprout under the shade of coconut palms.

Ramasamy, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said: "Farmers can easily plant 200 plants per acre as an intercrop and they can get additional income of nearly Rs 20,000 (US$500) net of the expenses. This will be additional income to the farmers."

Jayaraj, a cocoa farmer, said: "In an acre, I cultivated about 200 plants and after various processes like fermentation and drying, we earn more than Rs 40,000 (US$1,000) through cocoa cultivation. For coconuts we get only Rs 30,000 (US$750) per acre, but with cocoa we can get more money, which is a double income in one field for us."

Cocoa is the main ingredient in the making of chocolates, a few health drinks and even certain drugs.

To further increase cocoa production, chocolate manufacturing company, Cadbury India, has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to identify areas for the production of cocoa. It is also looking into how cocoa plants can help other plants.

Magudapathy, vice president, Cadbury, India, said: "It gives a lot of organic matter to the soil. It prevents weed growth in coconut farms, so the farmer is going to spend less money on controlling weeds.

"Moreover, the coconut is providing shade to the cocoa plant for its better growth. And with the mulch that is provided by the cocoa, water conservation is done. So less and less water is required overall for both the crops."

India's import of cocoa beans and cocoa products has jumped four-fold to nearly 8,000 tonnes in six years.

Experts said encouraging farmers to cultivate cocoa will not only help meet the rising demand but will also bring down global price pressures.

Chocolate consumption is gaining popularity in India because of a shift in food habits. To cut dependency on costlier cocoa imports, India now plans to increase its production by 60 per cent in the next four years to meet the rising demand. - CNA/vm