Mondelēz International has announced the launch of its global cocoa sustainability initiative, Cocoa Life, in Brazil.
The initiative aims to encourage the social and economic development of Brazilian cocoa farmers and their families. Reforestation of degraded land in the Amazon rainforest will also be carried out as part of the initiative.
Cocoa Life is already working with cocoa growers in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, India, and the Dominican Republic.
'Significant Impact'
Chief of sustainability and well-being at Mondelēz International, Christine Montenegro McGrath, said, “Cocoa Life has already made a significant impact in West African cocoa farming communities and we expect it will do the same in Brazil.”
Supported by one of Brazil’s favourite chocolate brands - Lacta - the initiative will benefit around 1,500 farmers, and their families in the long term.
Cocoa beans produced through Cocoa Life initiative will be a part of the company’s supply chain network for its Lacta chocolate portfolio.
Plan Of Action
The company has been supporting cocoa production in Brazil since 2014, and expects to build on this work through the Cocoa Life initiative.
Over the next three years, it will invest around $200,000 annually in Pará to empower cocoa farmers, and nurture the region's thriving and independent cocoa communities.
In Bahia, where farmers face various challenges related to crop management, Cocoa Life will provide guidance on the latest techniques in farm rejuvenation, implement good agricultural practices to improve yields, and mitigate the adverse environmental impact.
Collaboration
Mondelēz’ collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and its Forest Cocoa project resulted in the launch of the initiative in Brazil.
Vice-coordinator of restoration for TNC in Brazil, Rodrigo Freire, said, “Over the past five years, we have supported the planting of 450 hectares of cocoa agroforestry-system in the Amazon, benefitting over 120 families in the São Félix do Xingu and Tucumã municipalities in southeastern Pará. Our goal is to reach 1,000 families in the next five years."
The Forest Cocoa project was created to foster low-carbon family-based farming, generate social and economic benefits, and engage farmers to commit to zero deforestation targets, and an agroforestry-based restoration of degraded areas.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
