Business

IIE DIGITAL: For chocolate lovers, the idea of growing the key ingredient for their favourite treat at home sounds almost too good to be true. But scientists in North Bengal are now highlighting how the region’s favourable climate and soil could make cocoa cultivation possible even in home gardens.

The journey could begin with a cocoa sapling costing just around ₹20. According to scientists at the ICAR’s Central Plantation Crops Research Centre in Mohitnagar, Jalpaiguri, North Bengal offers suitable conditions for growing cocoa plants.

The crop does not necessarily require a large plantation either. Cocoa plants can thrive under the natural shade of banana trees, making them a potential addition to household gardens. They can also be cultivated alongside areca nut trees, provided sufficient space is maintained between the plants.

Even people with limited space may be able to grow cocoa. A pot placed on a rooftop that receives moderate sunlight or in a small courtyard could provide enough room for the plant to develop with proper care.

So, while a cocoa tree may not literally produce ready-to-eat chocolate, growing the fruit at home could be the first step towards an exciting possibility—turning homegrown cocoa into chocolate.