Takahashi's Farm
Takahashi's Farm
Geographic coordinates of the cacao harvesting site:
02° 24' 14.9" S | 48° 09' 59.3" O
TOMÉ-AÇu - Pará - Amazônia – Brasil
The story of Takahashi Farm begins with the history of Japanese immigration to the Amazon. In the early 20th century, families from Japan settled in Tomé-Açu, a region that would later become internationally recognized as the birthplace of agroforestry systems in Brazil. Among these pioneers was the Takahashi family.
In 1930, Haru Takahashi arrived in the Amazon as a child with her family from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. After a period away, she returned to Tomé-Açu in 1962, taking responsibility for the farm following the loss of her husband.
Since then, the farm went through major transitions, particularly in the 1970s when black pepper, then a leading crop in Tomé-Açu, was devastated by disease. In response, farmers like the Takahashis looked to the forest for alternatives. Cacao, when cultivated together with other species, proved to be both resilient and productive. This shift marked the beginning of agroforestry systems in the region.
Today, the farm is managed by Jorge Talakashi, his wife Elzamir and his son Yu, to guarantee the continuity of the family's sustainable work in Tomé-açu. Under his management, the property covers 218 hectares, with nearly 50 hectares dedicated to agroforestry cacao. Around 40,000 cacao trees are cultivated alongside species like açaí, cumaru, taperebá, and mahogany, creating a diversified and resilient production system.
Harvest takes place between May and August and beans are fermented in wooden boxes or tree trunks for several days.The farm produces around 25 tons of cacao annually, with every step carried out with consistency and care. This attention to detail ensures a product that meets the expectations of fine chocolate makers, while maintaining a direct connection to Tomé-Açu’s agroforestry systems.
Through this long history, Takahashi Farm has become a reference in Tomé-Açu for combining cultural heritage, agricultural resilience, and sustainable production. Working closely with Jorge and his family, Origin Amazônia has helped connect this tradition to international markets, ensuring that every bag of cacao exported carries both the flavor of the Amazon and the legacy of a community that helped shape agroforestry in Brazil.