Merasa, Long Lanuk and Suaran villages are home to the indigenous Dayak community, who started cultivating cocoa in the early 80s. Apart from being committed to protecting 15,000 ha of natural forest under the social forestry scheme, the community's cocoa agroforestry practices also contributed to an increase of more than 300 ha of forest cover.
The development of sustainable commodities through YKAN's Community-Led Forest Conservation strategy helps cocoa farmers improve the quality and selling value of their plantation products. YKAN encourages the development of community-based cocoa plantations, especially producing fermented cocoa, to ensure ecological balance, good prices for farmers, and sustainability. Fermented cocoa of good quality will be produced if the cocoa plantation is located around a forest that is still maintained
Merasa’s fermented cocoa beans have a fruity, citrus, honey, and slightly nutty taste. Their cocoa beans were nominated for the Cacao Excellence Award 2021 in Paris. Apart from supplying dry cocoa to several Indonesian chocolate artisan brands, they also produce their own chocolate bars and chocolate drinks, the signature of Merasa village.
Tune in to Life Music on your favorite platform!
It's time to return the royalties to the Master Musician.