Cargill Cocoa Promise report: how livelihoods for cocoa farmers are improving

Strengthening the Cargill Cocoa Promise, the company has introduced a monitoring and evaluation system to improve the effectiveness of its activities, enabling a more evidence-based approach to help raise the living standards of farmers and their families, as well as to address the sustainability challenges in the cocoa supply chain.

In association with strong partner organizations on the ground, Cargill supports the development of professional, business-oriented farmer organizations that take responsibility for managing sustainability programs and supporting their implementation by farmers and communities. Some 181 farmer cooperatives are now enrolled in the program. By participating in the Cargill Cocoa Promise, farmers become empowered, self-supporting entrepreneurs who manage professional and responsible farms and generate a living income or beyond.

In 2015, some 90,000 cocoa farmers attended 2,700 Farmer Field Schools. This training enables farmers to achieve maximum profitability from their cocoa farms, to optimize production by using inputs, such as crop protection and fertilizers efficiently, while reducing their impact on the environment. A major part of the work today is focused on women’s empowerment, children’s protection and family nutrition.

Because of the role women often play as care givers and food providers, the Cargill Cocoa Promise is helping to reduce poverty whilst improving family welfare and child nutrition. In 2015, more than 2,000 women successfully accessed credit to support income generating activities, which is over 50% of the total number of people who received finance through Village Saving and Loan Associations set-up with Cargill’s support. Through the reach of the Cargill Cocoa Promise, 97% of children enrolled in the program in Ghana have stayed in school for at least five years.