Nestlé and ofi launch major agroforestry effort

Nestlé and ofi are taking a significant step in their joint efforts to support sustainable cocoa production. In three major cocoa-producing countries — Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria — they are working with some 25,000 farmers to implement agroforestry and crop residue management. The goal: accelerate regenerative farming, reduce deforestation and significantly cut CO₂ emissions.

Over 2.8 million trees to be planted

The project aims to plant more than 2.8 million trees, across 72,000 hectares of agroforestry land. Each tree will be tracked from nursery to planting site and verified by a third party. All data will be captured using ofi’s AI-powered Carbon Stock Monitoring Tools. Over the next 30 years, the initiative is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.5 million tonnes.

Farmers receive training and incentives

Farmers will receive hands-on training in climate-smart agriculture, including the use of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), planting shade trees among cocoa trees and composting cocoa pods. In addition, they will be trained on environmental regulations, such as the African Regional Sustainability Standard and EUDR requirements. Financial incentives are provided to encourage farmers to actively maintain the newly planted trees.

Part of broader sustainability ambitions

This marks the largest agroforestry initiative to date between Nestlé and ofi. It supports Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and Net Zero targets for 2050, as well as ofi’s Cocoa Compass and the overarching sustainability strategy Choices for Change. All activities will be monitored through to 2055, with a clear focus on long-term impact.

Ofi.com