Zurich-based chocolate group Barry Callebaut AG will establish the “Farm of the Future” in Ecuador's Cerecita Valley on a 640-hectare property to drive research and innovation in cocoa farming. According to the company, operations and infrastructure development will start immediately with the planting of cocoa seedlings on the farm’s 400 hectares of non-planted land. The integration of high-yielding and maximum flavour varieties in the planting design will also support cross-learning between cocoa farms of all sizes, in different locations and climates from around the world.

Barry Callebaut aims to develop the best cocoa farming practices that are climate smart and enhance sustainability and farm profitability. At Barry Callebaut, innovation and sustainability have long been at the heart of group’s strategy. With a network of over 30 R&D centers, and more than 350 dedicated R&D colleagues, the farm is a natural extension of the research expertise to address the question: how can the company support cocoa farmers to farm with the future in mind?

 “Our Farm of the Future aims to be a contributor to the global movement on food system innovation. The establishment of this hub is a valuable vehicle for providing new opportunities for sustainable cocoa farming, innovation, and research,“ said Pablo Perversi, Chief Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Officer, Global Head of Gourmet at Barry Callebaut.