CULTIVATION
PRACTICES AND PROCESSING:
EXCELLENCE IN EVERY STEP
At EBIER SUTH COKRAN, we are committed to producing premium-quality cacao by combining regenerative practices with sustainable farming techniques.
FARM MANAGEMENT: HOLISTIC APPROACH
Dynamic agroforestry forms the foundation of our farming methods, but we also apply a range of proven techniques to ensure the health and productivity of our cacao trees. These practices maintain the ecological integrity of the land while optimizing cacao yields.
1. Nursery
Our journey begins in the nursery, the cradle of our future Agroforest. Here, we nurture young cacao seedlings and a variety of companion plants under optimal conditions. This careful upbringing ensures that each plant is robust and ready to flourish once transplanted into the dynamic agroforestry system.
2. Planting Cacao and other Daf Species
We thoughtfully integrate cacao trees with a rich tapestry of other species. Fast-growing plants like bananas, cassava, and turmeric are planted alongside cacao trees to provide immediate shade, protecting young seedlings from direct sunlight and suppressing excessive grass growth.
At the same time, we introduce native, long-lived tree species for longer terms that provide canopy cover as the cacao matures. This approach mimics natural forest structures, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that enhances biodiversity, enriches soil fertility, and fosters resilience against environmental challenges.
At the same time, we introduce native, long-lived tree species for longer terms that provide canopy cover as the cacao matures. This approach mimics natural forest structures, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that enhances biodiversity, enriches soil fertility, and fosters resilience against environmental challenges.
3. Pruning
In our dynamic agroforestry system, regular pruning is essential to optimize sunlight exposure, improve air circulation, and encourage healthy plant growth. Pruned branches and leaves are repurposed as organic mulch, enriching the soil and maintaining fertility.
We employ various pruning techniques to ensure a balanced and productive ecosystem that supports plant health and soil vitality:
Heavy Pruning: Significantly reduces a plant's size by removing large branches or cutting back to the main trunk, rejuvenating overgrown plants and stimulating new growth.
Light Pruning: Involves the selective removal of small, dead, or diseased branches to maintain the plant's health and appearance, encouraging continued growth without causing significant stress. Water Sprout Pruning: Targets the removal of vigorous, vertical shoots emerging from the trunk or branches that can divert energy from the main plant and are more susceptible to disease and pests.
We employ various pruning techniques to ensure a balanced and productive ecosystem that supports plant health and soil vitality:
Heavy Pruning: Significantly reduces a plant's size by removing large branches or cutting back to the main trunk, rejuvenating overgrown plants and stimulating new growth.
Light Pruning: Involves the selective removal of small, dead, or diseased branches to maintain the plant's health and appearance, encouraging continued growth without causing significant stress. Water Sprout Pruning: Targets the removal of vigorous, vertical shoots emerging from the trunk or branches that can divert energy from the main plant and are more susceptible to disease and pests.
4. Bio Pest Management
Protecting the natural health of our cacao trees is essential. We employ bio-pest management strategies that harness nature’s solutions—introducing beneficial insects, using organic treatments, and nurturing a balanced ecosystem. This approach reduces the need for chemical interventions, preserving both the purity of our cacao and the integrity of our environment.
We also incorporate bio-based solutions, such as biopesticides derived from natural materials like plants, bacteria, and minerals, to strengthen our pest control measures.
We also incorporate bio-based solutions, such as biopesticides derived from natural materials like plants, bacteria, and minerals, to strengthen our pest control measures.
5. Sanitation
Keeping our environment clean is essential for the health and well-being of our plants. Regular sanitation includes removing diseased or dead plant material, preventing the spread of pathogens, and ensuring the vitality of our agroforestry system. This practice protects the health of both cacao trees and companion species.
6. Weed & Grass Management
In our cultivation practices, effective weed and grass management is essential to reduce competition for resources and enhance plant health.
7. Harvesting
The culmination of our efforts is evident in the harvesting process. We meticulously select ripe cacao pods at their peak, ensuring the procurement of the finest quality beans. This rigorous approach guarantees exceptional flavor and supports the ongoing health and productivity of our cacao trees.
Empowering Women in Harvesting and Post-Harvest
Women are the heart of our harvesting and post-harvest stages, where their touch, expertise and attention to detail ensure the highest quality cacao.
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Harvesting
Women are primarily involved in the harvesting process, carefully selecting ripe cacao pods to ensure optimal flavor and quality. This hands-on approach minimizes damage to the trees and surrounding vegetation, supporting the long-term sustainability of the farm.
Post-Harvesting Processing
After harvesting, women continue to play a key role in fermentation, drying, and sorting the beans. The fermentation process enhances the flavor profile of the cacao, and women carefully monitor the beans to ensure consistency. Once dried, the beans are sorted to remove any defective beans, ensuring that only the highest quality cacao reaches the market.
Post-Harvest Excellence: Preserving Quality from Bean to Bean
Our commitment to quality extends beyond the farm, with every cacao bean undergoing a meticulous post-harvest process to preserve its exceptional flavor. The post-harvest team, mostly women who lead in these tasks, ensures that each stage—from fermentation to packaging—is carried out with the utmost care.
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Fermentation
Our beans ferment in carefully controlled environments for up to a week, enhancing the flavor and reducing bitterness. This crucial process is closely monitored to ensure the best possible outcome.
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WHY IT MATTERS
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Sustainable, Transparent, High-Quality Cacao
At EBIER SUTH COKRAN, we produce cacao that respects the environment, empowers communities, and delivers exceptional quality. Through sustainable agroforestry practices, we nurture the land while fostering leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly among women and youth.
We also prioritize transparent supply chains, selling organic cacao grown on deforestation-free land directly to global markets. To strengthen this, we are exploring innovative technologies to ensure full traceability from farm to market. By integrating sustainability, transparency, and community empowerment, we create cacao that meets global standards while driving positive change for our community and the planet.
