Confectionery manufacturer Mondelez has reported strong advancements on its Cocoa Life sustainability programme with the release of its first progress report, which highlights the impact and efforts to date across its six cocoa-growing origins: Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, India and Brazil.
Since its inception in 2012 to the end of 2015, Cocoa Life reached 76,700 farmers in over 795 communities, establishing a strong foundation and framework for the programme.
Cocoa Life aims to reach more than 200,000 farmers across six countries, benefiting more than a million people. The ultimate goal is to sustainably source all the company's cocoa supply, mainly via Cocoa Life. By working in partnership with farmers, NGOs, suppliers and government institutions, Cocoa Life answers Mondelēz International's Call For Well-being, which urges employees, suppliers and community partners to join together to develop new approaches that can have a positive impact on the planet and its people. The Call For Wellbeing focuses on four key areas where the company can make the
The report provides measurement data from Cocoa Life's first impact evaluation in Ghana, where Cocoa Life began as the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership. Initial results show Cocoa Life farmers' incomes tripled since 2009, which is 49 per cent more than control communities measured. Likewise, cocoa yield increased 37 per cent more than the control communities. The report also includes data from a needs assessment of the five regions where Cocoa Life is in place in Côte d'Ivoire and an Indonesia baseline assessment, which identifies key areas that will be targeted and measured for improvement.
"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," said Cathy Pieters, Cocoa Life program director.
"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."
The chocolate company says it is committed to ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply chain. Today, 21 per cent of the company's cocoa is sustainably sourced and brands such as Côte d'Or and Marabou are now displaying the Cocoa Life logo. Cocoa Life is a long-term $400 million investment to empower 200,000 cocoa farmers and reach over one million community members by 2022.
"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," said César Melo, president for global chocolate at Mondelez.
"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."
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