Nestlé and global ingredients supplier ofi have announced their most ambitious agroforestry collaboration to date, aiming to transform cocoa farming across Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria through regenerative agriculture and large-scale carbon reduction. The initiative will train 25,000 farmers in sustainable, climate-smart practices and is expected to cut an estimated 1.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions by 2055.
Spanning over 72,000 hectares of cocoa farmland, the program will transition conventional farms into agroforestry systems, supported by the planting of 2.8 million trees. Farmers will receive training in techniques such as shade tree cultivation, cocoa husk residue management, and compliance with standards like the African Regional Sustainability Standard (ARS) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Financial incentives will also be provided to farmers who successfully plant and maintain forest trees.
“Together, we’re addressing climate challenges by putting farmers at the center of the solution,” said Andrew Brooks, Global Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi.
Progress will be tracked using ofi’s AI-powered Carbon Stock Monitoring tool and its AtSource Digital Footprint Calculator (DFC), with all carbon benefits independently verified. The partnership directly supports Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and its 2050 Net Zero roadmap, while advancing ofi’s Cocoa Compass and broader “Choices for Change” sustainability goals. Implementation is already underway, marking a significant step forward in building a climate-resilient and responsible cocoa supply chain.
