Cacao-Tech

Project start: 1. 9. 2024

Project completion: 30. 9. 2025

Cacao-Tech is a sub-project of the EU project called DRG4FOOD, which aims to achieve trust in the data-driven food system by implementing Digital Responsibility Goals (DRG) for the food sector.

The Cacao-Tech project is changing the rules of the game in the cocoa industry. It brings digital technologies where traditional practices have dominated for centuries, and shows that innovation can mean not only greater efficiency, but also fairer trade, less waste and greater trust between farmers and consumers.

Cacao-Tech project objectives

• Pilot project country: Ecuador

• Target group: small farmers, processors, consumers

• Main partners: Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Pacha de Cacao (Ecuador), Wageningen Research (Netherlands)

• Technology: portable infrared scanners (NIRS), artificial intelligence, digital database for traceability

• Goal: reduce waste by up to 80%, increase transparency and ensure fairer compensation for farmers

• Project specifics: 100% female-led, focused on digital responsibility and data protection

Involvement of KIT PEF ČZU in Prague

The department catalyzes the interdisciplinary engagement of the Cacao-Tech team in the joint design of a data-driven solution for value chain quality assessment and tracking and leads software experts to develop a prototype of a commercially viable data system. Cacao-Tech builds on FAIR principles in the field of data and cybersecurity with international relevance.