Honduran cocoa, while only making up a small amount of global production, is highly valued. New Agriculturist reports on a partnership between700 smallscale farmers and Chocolats Halba, a Swiss chocolate-maker, which is putting Honduran chocolate in one of Switzerland's biggest retailers.

The article explains how the partnership came about through a project that trained farmer associations in in improved, environmentally sustainable cocoa agroforestry systems as well as fermenting and drying procedures.

Traditionally, cocoa farmers tend to be disconnected from the value chain such as is the case in countries such as Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Chocolats Halba believed it was important to be able to trace its cocoa back to the originating farms and demonstrate its support for developing country farmers and environmentally sustainable farming.

The cocoa farmers have received further training in order to gain organic certification and Fairtrade labelling. A financial guarantee fund has also been established to help the farmers invest in organic production and increase the incentive for them to engage in the certification process.

To provide additional income, farmers have been encouraged to plant fruit and hardwood trees, including mango, rambutan, avocado and mahogany, within cocoa plantations.

Read the full story: Niche market for Honduras cocoa