Nestlé, Ofi Launch Largest Cocoa Agroforestry Partnership

Nestlé and Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) have announced their largest joint agroforestry initiative to date, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and tackling deforestation in cocoa production across Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Brazil.

The program will support approximately 25,000 cocoa farmers over a five-year period in transitioning to climate-smart farming practices. Activities include implementing agroforestry techniques and managing crop residues. According to ofi’s carbon footprint experts, these efforts are expected to cut carbon emissions by 1.5Mt of CO₂ over the next 30 years.

The initiative includes planting around 2.8 million trees across more than 72,000ha. The entire process, from nursery to farm, will be third-party verified, and monitored using ofi’s AI-powered Carbon Stock Monitoring tool. This technology helps establish carbon baselines and tracks tree growth and geolocation through 2055.

The project builds on a 15-year collaboration between Nestlé and ofi focused on sustainable cocoa and supports Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and 2050 Net Zero targets. It also contributes to ofi’s Cocoa Compass goals and broader Choices for Change sustainability strategy.

Implementation is already underway, including training farmers on climate-smart agriculture. This includes guidance on good agricultural practices, such as intercropping shade trees with cocoa, and crop residue management like composting and mulching to improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Farmers will also receive education on broader environmental and regulatory standards, including the African Regional Sustainability Standard and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Financial incentives will be offered for planting and maintaining forest trees.

The impact of reforestation and carbon capture will be measured using ofi’s AtSource Digital Footprint Calculator. This data will be used to evaluate biodiversity benefits, carbon reduction and supply chain resilience.

“People are at the heart of our climate actions. By supporting a move toward a more regenerative food system, we can continue to build a more responsible cocoa supply chain and progress toward our shared climate goals,” said Darrell High, Cocoa Plan Manager, Nestlé.

“Together, we are addressing climate challenges by putting farmers at the center of the solution. Collaborating closely with cocoa communities, we can support farmers in adapting and mitigating climate change,” Andrew Brooks, Global Head of Cocoa Sustainability, ofi, added.