A two and a half year program aimed at improving the livelihood of smallholder cocoa farmers has been introduced through collaboration with Mondelez International’s Cocoa Life operation.
Driving sustainability in Indonesian farming practices, the program that started in October 2015 aims to benefit six thousand farmers and their families in the Kolaka region.
Southeast Asia Cocoa Life manager Andi Sitt Asmayanti says the program is part of the Green Prosperity –Sustainable Cocoa Production Partnership national initiative led by Swisscontact in Indonesia.
“Through Cocoa Life, Mondelez International plans to reach 40,000 farmers in Indonesia and we believe this project will be a major step forward in reaching this commitment, and supporting cocoa farmers and communities to thrive,” Asmayanti said.
According to Asmayanti, the program aims to deliver training in good agricultural practices to improve knowledge and boost productivity while also improving environmental practices to reduce the carbon footprint of cocoa farming.
Cocoa Life urges employees, suppliers and community partners to join together to develop new approaches that will have a positive impact for both communities and stakeholders.
Implemented with Swisscontact, focus on facilitating access to agro-inputs can help farmers sustain their production for longer periods of time due to extra training in financial literacy.
Since July 2014, Mondelez and Cargill worked together to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a leading cocoa producer –strengthening both companies’ commitment to improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and investing in their future.