In West Africa, Cargill is playing a key role in building a sustainable cocoa supply chain. Working with Dutch development organization Solidaridad and others in the cocoa sector, Cargill co-founded the UTZ Certified cocoa program to help produce cocoa more effectively and improve the incomes and livelihoods of the farmers who grow it. By introducing independent certification to improve agricultural, environmental and social practices in cocoa production, the program assures buyers and consumers that cocoa is produced in a responsible way.
Farmer Field Schools
Cargill is training farmers across cooperatives in Côte d'Ivoire and will reach over 25,000 farmers by the end of 2010. Our Farmer Field Schools will enable cooperatives and farmers to become UTZ Certified so that by the end of 2010, 15,000 tons of cocoa will be processed by Cargill into high-quality cocoa and chocolate products.
Small-scale farmers who have participated in the training are benefiting from an average 30-percent increase in their incomes due to higher yields and improvements in the quality of their crop, which enables them to receive a quality-related bonus payment from Cargill.
West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods Program
Cargill is furthering its commitment to the region through participation in the West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods program. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 15 chocolate industry companies, the program aims to help 200,000 farmers in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Liberia.
Increasing Incomes – As a result of training, small-scale farmers in West Africa benefit from an average 30-percent increase in their incomes from higher yields, as well as receiving a quality-related bonus payment.
Higher Yields – Since attending Cargill's Farmer Field Schools in Côte d'Ivoire and learning about pesticides and fertilizers, sanitary harvest and good field maintenance, Charles Yao Yao's yield per hectare has increased by more than 50 percent.
