At this Nestlé-sponsored farmers’ field school in Nobertkro, south-west Côte d’Ivoire, topics include responsible labor practices, the importance of schooling for children "Les Enfants à L'Ecole!!!" and sustainable farming methods. Cocoa from farms like this will be used in leading Nestlé chocolate brands manufactured at York in the UK. Watch the film in our CSV In Action section.
Nestlé does not buy cocoa directly from farmers, nor do we employ any cocoa farmers, but we are committed to responsible cocoa growing. In collaboration with governments, labor unions, NGOs and other members of the chocolate and cocoa industry Nestlé is part of the Harkin-Engel Protocol that was developed to support a cocoa farming certification system to ensure continuous progress is made towards responsible, sustainable practices in the supply chain.
Nestlé is also a founding participant in the International Cocoa Initiative Foundation (ICI) which was created as a result of this protocol and is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation which works to improve cocoa growing practices.
One of the projects that Nestlé is supporting to assist farmers in fine-tuning their agricultural practices is the Sustainable Tree Crops Program. Farmers from field schools learn to grow cocoa more productively and set up cooperatives. The schools also look at health areas such as HIV/Aids and educate farmers on safe labor practices.