Nestlé has a long history of helping farmers become better and more prosperous suppliers. This has a positive impact on our business and it delivers value for society by helping rural producers adopt world-class food quality standards, implement environmentally sustainable best practices that protect land and water resources and increase the economic performance and food security of entire regions.
Nestlé’s work often begins through engaging farmers in agricultural programmes that teach good environmental and water management practices. Currently, our team of 675 agronomists and approximately 5,000 extension workers and contractors offers support and training assistance to 111,800 farmers via 28 projects in 21 countries. We also participate in ongoing dialog with regional traders, governments and NGO partners.
There are no conditions attached to the assistance we give and farmers are not obliged to sell their produce to Nestlé. We recognise that our investments can have a multiplier effect that creates value for Nestlé by promoting economic growth in the rural communities that deliver the essential commodities on which our business relies.
Initiatives and partnerships
Nestlé actively participates in a number of international initiatives and cross-sector partnerships that promote sustainable agricultural practices. Of particular significance are:
Commode Code for the Cofee Community (4C)The Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C) builds on a voluntary code of conduct adopted by the coffee producers, traders, civil society and other stakeholder organisations that form the not-for-profit 4C Association, who are committed to good farming and management methods to improve efficiency, profitability, transparency and sustainability in the production, processing and trading of coffee.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI)
The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative of the Food Industry (SAI-Platform), co-founded in 2002 by Nestlé, Danone and Unilever, now involves 22 major food trading and producing companies. Its mains objective are to address:
Quality and safety in the food supply chain;
The growing global demand for food;
The possible adverse effects of agriculture on natural resources and the environment.
For more information please visit: www.saiplatform.org