Limited access to planting materials, poor farming practices and aging trees are among the main challenges that need to be overcome in order to increase cocoa farmers’ income. That’s why improving the distribution of quality cocoa seedlings to farmers in order for them to maintain the health of their farm by regularly replanting, is a goal of Biolands, our direct sourcing and farm services model. In Tanzania, where our cocoa operations are uniquely and completely organic, we partner together with our customer KIM’S Chocolates, to increase the livelihood of cocoa farmers. To do so, we have pledged to distribute more than 100,000 cocoa seedlings each year.

Joyce Iponja is a trained senior nursery assistant at Biolands’ nursery in Kyela and now belongs to a dedicated team that visits farmers. The team not only supplies seedlings from the nursery but also shares valuable know-how on how to best plant and care for the seedlings – including aspects such as spacing, shade and irrigation.

Like Joyce, most of the distributors come from local farming communities and families in Kyela, and they have been working in Biolands nurseries for a number of years. Their participation in the seedling distribution program provides them with an additional source of income.