Assam is preparing for a major shift in its agricultural landscape, with plans to promote cocoa cultivation across the fertile Brahmaputra and Barak Valley regions. Researchers believe the crop, traditionally grown in southern India, could thrive in Assam as an intercrop with areca nut and coconut.
According to Assam Agricultural University (AAU), the state has the potential to bring more than 10,000 hectares under cocoa cultivation, provided processing facilities and industry linkages are developed locally. “Cocoa offers an enormous opportunity for Assam’s farmers. With the right support, we can create a thriving cocoa economy in the Northeast,” said Sanjay Kumar Chetia, dean of research at AAU.
Private players such as Tetelia Agro Producers Co. Ltd. and Diya Foundation have already engaged hundreds of farmers in cocoa farming across several districts. Momentum for the initiative grew following the recent National Cocoa Conclave held at AAU, which brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to chart the future of cocoa in the region.
The conclave set an immediate target of expanding cocoa cultivation by 1,000 hectares, a move seen as critical to reducing India’s dependence on cocoa imports, which currently come largely from Africa.
Dr Femina, director of the Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, stressed the importance of quality planting material and stronger institutional collaboration. She noted that AAU and the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, are already working on supply chains and extension models for farmers.
Mizoram Agriculture Minister P.C. Vanlalruata, who attended the conclave, underlined the role of high-yielding cocoa varieties in boosting farmer incomes. “Cocoa can be a game-changer for the Northeast, but it requires collective action to strengthen the cocoa-based economy,” he said.
If scaled effectively, experts say cocoa could offer farmers a lucrative alternative alongside existing crops, while contributing to India’s broader goal of self-reliance in agricultural commodities.
As Assam embarks on this new journey, stakeholders believe the state stands at the cusp of an agricultural transformation that could not only diversify farming but also place the Northeast on the global cocoa map.
