10 years of improving cocoa farmers’ lives with Fairtrade
This year, we celebrate ten years of an important relationship: our partnership with Fairtrade. We source 100% of our cocoa through independently managed standards, and Fairtrade was one of our first partners.
In 2014, we signed a commitment with Fairtrade to source certified cocoa beans through its Fairtrade Cocoa Programme, which helps farmers to sell more of their crops on Fairtrade terms, meaning more benefits for them and their communities.
Since making the commitment, the partnership has gone from strength to strength. In fact, our work with Fairtrade and the community support we have jointly provided to the cocoa farmers who are members of the “Union des Sociétés Coopératives Kimbê” (ECOOKIM) union of co-operatives has become an important blueprint for Ferrero’s cocoa sustainability programme.
Helping cocoa farmers improve production
Madeleine Konan Akissi is a great example of the partnership in action. Madeleine is a cocoa producer in the AKAKRO section of the Côte d’Ivoire’s Kouentinfla region, a region known for its cocoa. She’s the owner of a plantation and has been delivering her cocoa to an ECOOKIM co-operative for seven years. Madeleine has seen many advantages from the Fairtrade programme’s ongoing support, training and agronomic advice, which has helped her increase her cocoa yields sustainably.
“Thanks to the support from the programme, my field has gone from producing just 300kg/Ha to almost 600kg/Ha, which has enabled me to improve our living conditions thanks to the income from the sales of cocoa and the certification premiums I receive each year.”
Community development
ECOOKIM is unique in its size. It currently works with 32 cooperatives and more than 37,000 cocoa farmers across Côte d’Ivoire. Ferrero sources ingredients from 10 of these cooperatives and 16,500 farmers. With our support, ECOOKIM has been able to support their social and economic empowerment through both improved farming performance and community development.
With the adoption of sustainable farming practices, and ECOOKIM's strong and inclusive management, farmers can expect to increase their cocoa productivity and quality. This, in turn, contributes to increased household income and more sustainable livelihoods for farmers and their families. Furthermore, programmes such as ‘One Child, One Future’ proactively address topics such as child protection, gender equality and climate change, helping to create more inclusive and resilient communities.
Helping farmers create additional sources of income
Working closely with ECOOKIM, we have also introduced initiatives which support farmers – especially women – to diversify their incomes. Together, we also provide financial support through programmes such as the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) or the diversification of crops.
Yao Amena Marina is a cocoa farmer and a member of one of ECOOKIM’s co-operatives. As a member, she has benefitted from a loan which has both enabled her to expand her pepper field and her corn field.
“Thanks to the loan, I was able to expand my pepper field and was able to more than triple my income. I was also able to expand my corn field and now earn five times as much. This additional income helps me to bear certain family responsibilities such as care.”
Bernadette Amoin N’Guessan, another ECOOKIM-cocoa farmer, set up an award-winning project with other women from her community to help increase their income. Together, they cultivate a 1-hectare tomato field and a 2-hectare rice field. ECOOKIM awarded the women’s group a tricycle, which helps them transport the produce to the local market.
“Thanks to these activities, the women are fulfilled, they are financially independent and help their husbands with family expenses. For me, these activities have allowed me to educate my four children, who are now studying at university.”
Tracking our good work
Over the course of our decade working together, Ferrero and Fairtrade have produced six meticulous monitoring reports on our conjoined support of ECOOKIM, which show the many ways our collaboration is making a tangible impact.
Over the past decade, significant strides have been made in the battle against child labour at ECOOKIM, owing to crucial training and awareness initiatives. A focus on building schools and canteens has led to 18 schools, 10 school canteens, 35 school latrine units and 21 water pumps constructed or renovated (by the end of 22/23).
Thanks to projects such as the VSLA and the Women School of Leadership programme, representation of female producers has more than tripled over the last decade growing from 3.3% to 11.1%.
The vast majority (86%) of farmers are now using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – thanks to our investment in training them.
“We’re so proud to celebrate ten years of a partnership with Fairtrade and ECOOKIM, and the many successes we’ve had in improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers together. Through the building of schools, creation of financial programmes and training, we want to create thriving cocoa farming communities where farmers can now only get the best from their fields today, but also well into the future.”
Isabel Hochgesand, Chief Procurement and Hazelnut Company Officer, Ferrero
“Long-term partnerships with companies such as Ferrero enable small-scale farmers to plan for their future. This kind of stability is an important factor in driving sustainable development. Farmers need access to market information and technical knowledge to ensure long-lasting, sustainable supply chains. Training and programmes tailored to local needs are a key part of Fairtrade’s strategy to enable small-scale farmer organizations to grow and flourish.”
Jon Walker, Senior Advisor for Cocoa at Fairtrade International
“Collaborations with organisations such as Fairtrade and Ferrero mean we can give farmers the resources and support needed to get the best from their crops, as well as to diversify their offerings and seek out secondary incomes. We want to create cocoa farming communities that are prosperous, through training, equal opportunities and even by providing better education facilities for children.”
ECOOKIM Head of Sustainability, Aminata Bamba
It’s been an incredibly effective ten years of partnership with Fairtrade, and we can’t wait to keep making even more of an impact through our collaboration.
