National Mission on Cocoa – Aim for Self‑sufficiency by 2040

Key facts

• The knowledge paper recommends launching a National Mission on Cocoa to achieve self‑sufficiency by 2040‑41.
• The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will shape a dedicated policy framework for cocoa, aligned with the Union Budget 2026‑27.
• Phase 1 (2026‑28) proposes establishing a Centre of Excellence and creating nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
• Phase 2 (2028‑30) aims to set up regional CoE hubs and train about 1 lakh farmers, with a target of supplying 25 million seedlings and launching a pilot digital farmer registry.
• Phase 3 (2030‑35) seeks to expand cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares, improve yields, and scale up R&D, targeting 50 percent of domestic cocoa demand.
• Phase 4 (2035‑40) envisions full self‑sufficiency in cocoa production and positioning India as a global cocoa processing hub, with 100 percent digital traceability.
• Domestic cocoa consumption is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, growing at a CAGR of 5.5 percent.
• Current imports exceed $866 million annually, with India meeting less than 20 percent of its cocoa requirement.
• The roundtable “India’s Cocoa Future: Self Sufficiency and Global Value Chain Integration” was held in New Delhi, launching the knowledge paper.
• Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, highlighted the need for a dedicated cocoa policy.
• Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairperson, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Task Force on Horticulture, emphasised cocoa’s potential to boost farmer incomes and export‑oriented growth.