Our commitment to sustainability and community initiatives is grounded in our desire to give back to those who have brought us this far and is aligned with our overall CSR approach. Examples of these programmes include:
- PACTS (Processors Alliance for Cocoa Traceability and
Sustainability) – a tri-partite joint venture
with the Cemoi Group and the Blommer Chocolate Company to improve the livelihoods of the
local cocoa farming community in the Ivory Coast and improve the supply of high quality
fermented cocoa beans. At the heart of this JV is a balance of interests of the cocoa farming
community and users of cocoa beans; and at a different level, the interests of the Cote D’lvoire
and consumers of chocolate and cocoa. Formed in May 2010, the JV aims to establish up to 30
fermentation centres and work with up to 50 local co-operatives covering approximately 10,000
farmers over a three-year period. The JV will also develop and implement advanced training and
instruction programs to help farmers improve efficiencies and yields of their farms and therefore, enhance their incomes.
This initiative was completed in April 2017.
- A joint cocoa development initiative with the International Finance Corporation (an affiliate of
the World Bank) to provide training and on-site assistance for 500 cocoa farmers in Sulawesi,
Indonesia.This initiative focuses on improving the livelihoods of farmers by helping them
increase their cocoa productivity and cocoa quality through sustainable farming practices. This
programme also aims to enhance environmental protection and spur economic growth in the
region. We plan to extend this initiative to more than 5,000 farmers.
This initiative was completed in December 2008.
- Member of the World Cocoa Foundation (“WCF”), which is committed to promoting a
sustainable cocoa economy through economic and social development and environmental
stewardship in cocoa-growing communities. Together with other major industry players and
development agencies, we support targeted cocoa sustainability programmes in all the major
cocoa growing regions to benefit the world’s cocoa farmers and ensure a long-term supply of
high quality cocoa.
This initiative was completed in December 2008.
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