MoU Signing Ceremony of Collaboration Agreement to establish an academic program in Crop Science – Cocoa Specialization

Dak Lak, February 3, 2026

This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first time in Vietnam that a structured academic training program in “Crop Science – Cocoa Specialization” has been formally established, opening a new development pathway for the country’s cocoa and chocolate industry.

Vietnam is endowed with advantages of natural resources for cocoa cultivation, along with increasingly advanced farming techniques. However, for many years, cocoa has yet to become a key agricultural crop. By 2025, the total cocoa cultivation area is estimated at approximately 3,500 hectares (including intercropped and monocropped areas), with an annual outcome of around 2,000 tons of dried cocoa beans.

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has recognized Vietnam as a producer of fine-flavor cocoa, ranking the country 23rd among approximately 60 cocoa-producing nations worldwide to receive this distinction.

Recognizing the economic potential and long-term development value of cocoa, the four organizations have agreed to jointly implement the “Crop Science – Cocoa Specialization” program. The program aims to train a new generation of crop science engineers with in-depth expertise in cocoa, equipped with comprehensive knowledge of advanced cultivation methods and technologies to improve productivity, reduce pests and diseases, preserve biodiversity, enhance farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to environmental protection. A strong understanding of the cocoa supply chain will further enable this future workforce to add greater value from origin to market.

Students will be taught by accredited university lecturers of the Ministry of Education and Training from Tay Nguyen University, while also directly participating in research and field experiments at WASI, as well as hands-on production models within the ecosystems of Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam and The Cocoa Project.

Upon graduation, students will have opportunities to work with organizations and enterprises in the cocoa sector both domestically and internationally. Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam, the largest cocoa collector in Vietnam, will facilitate opportunities for outstanding graduates to work alongside its technical teams or within the global Puratos ecosystem.

The Cocoa Project, as a strategic partner, together with Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam, will provide scholarships to support future generations of students enrolled in the program.

The four parties share a long-term vision of developing Vietnam’s cocoa industry in a sustainable and balanced manner, harmonizing people, agriculture, and the environment, while nurturing a generation of young professionals capable of elevating Vietnamese cocoa within the global value chain.

Mr. Gricha Safarian, Managing Director of Puratos Grand-Place, stated: “We are very pleased with this collaboration. Education is the foundation for transforming any industry. Through this strategic partnership between Tay Nguyen University, WASI, Puratos Grand-Place, and The Cocoa Project, we firmly believe that Vietnam’s goal of achieving 20,000 tons of dried cocoa beans by 2035 is entirely attainable.”

Tay Nguyen University (TNU)

Established under Decision No. 298/CP dated November 11, 1977, by the Government Council, Tay Nguyen University is a multidisciplinary public university under the Ministry of Education and Training and serves as a major scientific research center in the Central Highlands region.

Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI)

WASI is a research institute under the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The institute specializes in research and technology transfer for crop varieties, particularly coffee, industrial crops, and forestry in the Central Highlands.

Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam (PGPV)

Puratos Grand-Place Indochina (PGPI) is a joint venture between Puratos Group and Grand-Place Holding, both headquartered in Belgium, with over 20 years of investment in Vietnam. PGPI provides ingredients and professional solutions for the cocoa, chocolate, bakery, and patisserie industries, serving bakeries, food manufacturers, supermarkets, and industrial customers.

The Cocoa Project (TCP)

The Cocoa Project is developed based on the 3F philosophy: Farmer, Forest, and Fruit. The company is committed to building a sustainable cocoa ecosystem, nurturing chocolate culture in Vietnam, and delivering high-quality products with transparent origins.

For more information, please contact:

Vy Nguyen (Ms.) | Head of Branding & Communication of Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam

M+: +84 979.88.13.06   Email: vyntt@puratos.com