Mondelēz International’s Cocoa Life programme has provided support to more than 75,000 farmers in six of the company’s cocoa producing regions, according to its first progress report since the initiative began.
The programme, which started in 2012, seeks to promote sustainability in Mondelēz’s supply chain and works with farmers in almost 800 communities to improve their wellbeing and level of safety. The scheme is active across Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, India, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.
Cocoa Life has reached 76,700 cocoa farmers in total, and Mondelēz sourced more than one-fifth of its total cocoa sustainably by the end of 2015. Farmer income increased in Ghana by 49%, while cocoa yield was up 37% across all of the business’ Cocoa Life communities, the newly published report has said.
Initial results also show that Cocoa Life farmers’ incomes have tripled generally since 2009 – 49% more than in the control communities measured as a comparison. Likewise, cocoa yield increased 37% more than in the control communities.
The report also includes data from a needs assessment of the five regions in Côte d’Ivoire where Cocoa Life is in place, and an Indonesia baseline assessment that identifies key areas to target and measure for improvement.
Cocoa Life programme director Cathy Pieters said: “This progress report brings together the voices of people in cocoa communities across all our origins and demonstrates how the program is working together with local governments, our suppliers and partners to build lasting change on the ground. Cocoa Life integrates the work of our stakeholders to achieve common goals in ways that are relevant and tailored to Cocoa Life farming communities around the world.”
Today, 21% of Mondelēz’s cocoa is sustainably sourced and brands such as Côte d’Or and Marabou now display the logo of Cocoa Life – a long-term $400m investment with the goal of empowering 200,000 cocoa farmers and a further 1m members of farming communities.
Mondelēz International president, global chocolate César Melo said: “I’m proud of our Cocoa Life programme and the transformative impact we are having on our cocoa supply chain and the communities we source cocoa from, as shown in this report. Cocoa Life connects the beginning and end of the cocoa supply chain so farmers can see how their cocoa crop contributes to the chocolate we enjoy. As Cocoa Life grows and expands its reach, we will continue to be transparent about our measures for success and key learnings, and share the progress we are making against our goals.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024