A unique partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors has supported key infrastructure projects in cocoa growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire.
The collaboration between Cargill, aid charity Care and trade body Conseil du Café-Cacao will invest in 11 new schools and three new health centres in the West African country. The $1.9m program will benefit 14 cocoa cooperatives, providing school places for more than 1,650 children and improving healthcare access for 25,000.
The communities have also benefitted from the premium payments for certified cocoa paid to them as part of Cargill’s Cocoa Promise, while Care has additionally helped them to adopt project management processes and principles of good governance.
The development project follows the announcement that Cargill had signed a formal partnership agreement to support Mondelēz International’s efforts in improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers across the world. The agreement, first reported back in February, strengthened the two companies’ commitment to Mondelēz’s Cocoa Life program, which shares values with Cargill’s Cocoa Promise.
The first schools and health centre were inaugurated in Manzannouan – in the east of Côte d’Ivoire – last week.
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate managing director for West Africa Lionel Soulard said: “The investment in new schools and clinics clearly demonstrates the critical role farmer cooperatives play in improving the education and living standards in their communities. By bringing together the resources and expertise of public-private partners, it is empowering farmer cooperatives and supporting a sustainable future for cocoa growing communities.”
Massandjé Touré Litsé, managing director of the Conseil du Café-Cacao, added: “Through this partnership we are supporting our farmers and enabling them to be part of the solution to improve their well-being. Farmers are now able to have a direct influence on the livelihood of their own communities.”
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