The project ‘No Bean Left Behind’

The Key objective of the project is to unlock increased value in Suriname’s traditional cocoa sector through the introduction of more sustainable cultivation and circular economy principles.
The proposed project focuses on addressing key challenges in Suriname’s cacao sector by improving sustainability, enhancing value addition at the community level, and integrating circular economy principles. To combat significant post-harvest losses and the lack of primary processing knowledge, the project will provide training to farmers on proper harvesting techniques fermentation, and drying processes. This will enable farmers to sell higher-quality dried beans, increasing their income and reducing reliance on unsustainable price premiums currently offered by Tan Bun Skrati NV to secure supply. Through piloting a simple track-and trace system, the project addresses the challenge of transparency and consumer trust, allowing for verification of cacao origin, ethical standards, and environmental impact- key for gaining access to premium markets. Furthermore, the project will incorporate circular economy principles targeting the issue of high waste generation, repurposing cacao pod husk and rejected beans into value added products. This not only mitigates environmental waste but also creates additional income streams for farmers. Lastly, the project incorporates sustainable cultivation methods like agroforestry to address deforestation risks and ensure long-term productivity, while promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to enhance the quality and marketability of Surinamese cacao. Together, these elements provide comprehensive solutions to improve the profitability, and resilience of the cacao sector in Suriname.