Nestlé and ofi launch large-scale sustainable cocoa programme

Nestlé and ofi will train 25,000 cocoa farmers across Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria to convert their operations to agroforestry as part of a new regenerative agriculture programme.

The two food companies aim to plant over 2.8 million trees and cultivate more 72,000 hectares of cocoa through agroforestry practices – while cutting 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 from their supply chains over the next 30 years.

The programme is Nestlé and ofi’s largest sustainable cocoa partnership to date, seeking to combat deforestation, reduce emissions and increase the resilience of the global chocolate supply chain in the face of rising demand and increased climate-related disruption.

Training and financial incentives for cocoa farmers

Implementation has already started across the three locations, with farmers receiving training and educational exercises on the benefits of agroforestry and carbon capture. Over the coming years, they will become fully trained on climate-smart agricultural practices, such as planting shade trees amongst cocoa trees and composting cocoa pod husks to improve soil health.

Training will also be provided on sustainability regulations such as the African Regional Sustainability Standard (ARS) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is coming into force at the end of this year.

Participating farmers will also receive financial rewards for planting and maintaining forest trees.

Darrell High, Cocoa Plan Manager, Nestlé said: “People are at the heart of our climate actions. We’re working with ofi to help farmers transition to climate-smart farming practices. By supporting a move towards a more regenerative food system, we can continue to build a more responsible cocoa supply chain and progress towards our shared climate goals for 2030 and beyond.”

Measuring the carbon capture potential of forests

Through the partnership, Nestlé and ofi will also test the carbon capture potential of greater biodiversity and improved soil health in and around cocoa farms. Data will be analysed using ofi’s proprietary tool AtSource Digital Footprint Calculator (DFC), to understand the carbon reduction. 

Activities from this programme will be monitored until 2055. 

Andrew Brooks, Global Head of Cocoa Sustainability, ofi added: “We are thrilled to partner with Nestlé on this global climate action initiative. Together, we’re addressing climate challenges, by putting farmers at the center of the solution. Collaborating closely with cocoa communities, we can support farmers in adapting and mitigating climate change and help strengthen the supply of sustainable cocoa ingredients.”

Promoting more sustainable practices among cocoa farmers is also one of the strategies that have helped Mondelez reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 10% over the past year.