Managing Director
CurrentLizard Earth is an ethical cocoa grower and aggregator from Eastern Sierra Leone, driven by the agency of innovating the future of cocoa and chocolate. Together with our host communities, we cultivate Organic Agroforestry Cocoa Gardens under a responsible production- and governance model and build, certify and integrate local producer organizations into our inclusive sourcing platform. As a corner-stone of our production- and governance model, we foster talented smallholders to grow into successful Agri-Entrepreneurs who have the capacity to independently manage our Cocoa Gardens in the long-term.We currently maintain a cocoa farmer network of over 1,500 smallholders across Kailahun District (30% of whom are female farmers). Lizard Earth forms the link between our cocoa producers and cocoa buyers, chocolate makers and manufacturers, as well as various farmer support- and non-governmental development organizations. Placing strong emphasis on adding value at origin, Lizard Earth collaborates closely with the local chocolate manufacturer Organic Africa Chocolate. Through stringent standard processing protocols and quality support measures, we ensure that our buyer receive premium-quality cocoa from origin.We stand out from other aggregators by (1.) building close, long-term relationships with our host communities, (2.) developing the global niche-market for ethical, premium cocoa from Sierra Leone, and (3.) providing essential, year-round farm-level services to our smallholder producers, often in collaboration with partners and support initiatives.
