A knowledge paper on the cocoa sector, developed by Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with FICCI and released at the Cocoa Roundtable, has outlined a long-term vision to transform India into a self-sufficient, globally competitive cocoa economy by 2040-41.
The 2026-2040 roadmap towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in cocoa has recommended the establishment of a ‘National Mission on Cocoa’ and the need for research and development (R&D) and innovation in the sector. It also suggested policy and financial support measures, as well as trade and market reforms, in addition to digital transformation in the sector.
National mission
In the first phase from 2026-28, the knowledge paper suggested the need to launch a national mission on cocoa and to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in this sector. The phase also involves the initiative to establish nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
Capacity building
The second phase, ranging from 2028 to 2030, focuses on capacity building in the sector. The paper recommended that regional CoE hubs be established in the country and that nearly 1 lakh farmers be trained in the sector. Stressing the need to supply around 25 million seedlings during the period, the paper suggested the creation of a pilot digital farmer registry and traceability system.
Scale up
The paper said that the third phase, from 2030-35, should focus on increasing the area under the cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares and improving crop yields. It said that R&D initiatives in the sector should also be scaled up, and promotion of cocoa processing should be given importance during the period. The paper suggested that India should be able to meet 50 per cent of its cocoa demand through domestic production during this period.
Self-sufficiency
The paper envisioned that India should be self-sufficient in cocoa production during the final phase from 2035 to 2040 and be promoted as a global cocoa processing hub. India’s self-sufficiency in this sector should help develop a programme towards India’s status as a net exporter of cocoa. This should also be the phase where cocoa farmers’ incomes improve significantly. The paper also recommended implementing 100 per cent digital traceability during the period.
Consumption growth
The knowledge paper said that domestic demand is expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.5 per cent, with consumption reaching 4.67 lakh tonne of cocoa beans by 2040, while India currently meets less than 20 per cent of its total requirement, creating a widening supply-demand gap.
This structural shortfall has pushed India into heavy reliance on imports, with annual inflows exceeding $866 million. This growing trade deficit presents both a challenge and a strategic opportunity to build a resilient, self-reliant cocoa ecosystem aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
A media statement said that the roundtable on ‘India’s Cocoa Future: Self Sufficiency and Global Value Chain Integration’ was held in New Delhi with the launch of the knowledge paper, ‘Empowering the cocoa sector: A strategic roadmap for driving Aatmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable farming’.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said: “As a predominantly import-dependent crop, cocoa faces critical challenges across production and post-harvest management in India. The insights and recommendations shared by stakeholders during the roundtable provide a strong foundation to address these gaps. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will leverage these inputs to shape a dedicated policy framework for cocoa, in line with the announcements made in the Union Budget 2026-27, to strengthen domestic production, enhance value chains, and reduce import dependency.”
Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairperson, FICCI Task Force on Horticulture and Group Executive Director, FIL, emphasised that cocoa holds immense untapped potential to boost farmer incomes, strengthen agri-industry linkages, and support value-added and export-oriented growth in the years ahead. Chirag Jain, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, said: “At the cocoa roundtable, we emphasised the need for stronger collaboration across the value chain. The Cocoa Stewardship Forum can serve as a critical platform to bring together industry, government, and other key stakeholders to drive aligned action and strengthen the cocoa ecosystem.”
Industry leaders, who attended the roundtable, highlighted the need for a redefined policy architecture.