The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research said that it has launched the first cocoa variety, named Forastero-1, which was released in 2021. The event was complemented with cocoa chocolate bars showcase, a kind of chocolate produced from the first Ethiopian cocoa variety by the Nib Candy factory.
According to EIAR, the event highlighted the potential of cocoa production in Ethiopia, in supporting the economic growth of the country. The showcase of the Ethiopian cocoa chocolate bars took place on August 8, 2024, at Hiruy Hall, EIAR HQs. Various stakeholders including government bodies, NGOs, Embassy representatives, private companies and development partners participated on the vent.
Dr. Fekadu Gurmu, Director of the Crop Research Directorate/EIAR, opened the event with an insightful welcome speech highlighting the potential of cocoa production in Ethiopia as a new crop for the country. According to his speech, cocoa has not been cultivated in Ethiopia before; however, the Tepi Agricultural Research Center took the initiative to introduce the Forastero-type cocoa, a variety well-suited for the country’s agro-ecological conditions, particularly in the humid areas of the country.
Dr. Fekadu emphasized that the research conducted over several years aimed to evaluate several critical aspects of this new crop, including productivity, pest resistance, adaptability to various environmental conditions, and overall quality performance.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Feto Esimo, Director General of the EIAR, highlighted the importance of the Ethiopian cocoa chocolate bar showcase. Dr. Feto was excited about the coca products as a new to the country. According to him, cocoa is a new crop and an addition to Ethiopian agricultural practices and pathways. He said cocoa is not just a crop; it is an ideal opportunity with a bright future for the industries and job creations.
Dr. Feto gave an overview on the experience of growing cocoa across the world, with a focus on tropical nations where small-scale farmers use cocoa as their main source of income. Finally, he acknowledged the participants and formally opened the showcase.
Following that the DG’s opening remark, a presentation entitled “Cocoa Research Achievement in Ethiopia” was made by Mr. Abukiya Getu, Coordinator of Cocoa Research at Tepi Research Center. During his presentation, he brought up issues related to global cocoa production, including the potential of the crop for foreign currency earning and import substitution.
Mr. Mihreteab from the Nib Candy Company—the only company in Ethiopia that produces chocolate using Ethiopian cocoa variety, highlighted the global chocolate industry and marketing trends and his company’s commitment to replace the import cocoa beans with local variety that was developed and released by Tepi agricultural research center of the EIAR .
Finally, the topic of cocoa production was discussed, along with various issues, including the need for sustainable practices and growth in production.
Countries like Ethiopia, endowed with diverse agro-ecologies that is suitable for cocoa production should exploit the potential of the crop. With a focus on improving agricultural techniques and crop management, there may be an increase in production capacity, leading to greater economic opportunities for farmers.
Quality and innovation are also important for the company that produces high-quality cocoa products that can compete in international markets. Moreover, local and global partnerships are very important. Collaborations between local farmers, government bodies, and international organizations can support the development of the cocoa sector, providing farmers with the necessary resources and training to improve their yield and quality.
In conclusion, the future of cocoa, especially in emerging markets like Ethiopia, hinges on sustainability, quality improvement, and adaptability to changing market conditions and environmental factors. Companies such as Nib Chocolate Company can play a crucial role in this evolving environment.
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