It is an innovative family-centred approach that is aiming to close the gap to a living income and reducing child labour risks. By looking at the family, we’re placing greater value on women as agents for positive change.
The program is built and designed to encourage changes in behaviour and reward positive practices – both within the home and on the farm. The program rewards cocoa-farming families for practices that benefit the environment and local community.
We delivered the first progress report on the income accelerator program pilot, which engaged with 1000 cocoa-farming families. As we expand the program to 10 000 families as part of the test at scale, we will continue reporting on our impact and challenges. The measurement and evaluation of the program is completed independently by KIT Royal Tropical Institute.
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2020
Pilot program1000 Cocoa-farming families in Côte d’Ivoire take part in the Income Accelerator Program. -
2022
Test at scaleThe pilot is expanded to include over 10 000 cocoa-farming families in Côte d’Ivoire for the test at scale phase. -
2024
Scale-upBased on learnings from the pilot and the test at scale, we are building on the program within Côte d’Ivoire, while expanding into Ghana. -
2030
ReachOur aim is to reach an estimated 160 000 cocoa-farming families in our supply chain by 2030.
How does this support future generations?
Enrolling children in school. The program incentivizes families to support the cost of kids in education. Nestlé also finances improvements of school buildings and infrastructure.
How do we ensure it is sustainable?
Implementing good practices, such as pruning. This helps increase the yield, reduce crop disease and improves household income. We train, equip, and subsidise groups to do this pruning.
How do you futureproof the farms?
Agroforestry is practised. Planting forest and fruit trees provide shade for the Cocoa, helping resist the impact of climate change and supports biodiversity.
How does the Income Accelerator Program go beyond supporting cocoa farming?
We encourage creating additional sources of income with the families. This includes growing other crops, raising livestock and chickens, beekeeping, or processing other products such as cassava.
How are these incentives paid to the families?
Through safe and reliable mobile payments directly in the hands of Cocoa-farming families. They payments are distributed in a way which gives greater financial decision-making to women – both within the home and in the community.
Our Stories
Protecting and Restoring the West Africa’s Cavally Forest
The Cavally Forest Reserve is one of the largest of 234 classified forests in Côte d’Ivoire. In 2020, Nestlé began working alongside local people to protect and restore this dense landscape with great results.
Giving Cocoa Trees The Shade They Need
Shade trees stand as a sunblock for cocoa, allowing for moisture-rich crop spaces. So we’re distributing shade trees to cocoa farmers such as Dominic, who shares that “the results are clear for all to see.”
Adissa And Emmanuella’s School Story
Adissa and Emmanuella had never attended school. As part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, we support access to education by developing bridge schools. Follow their education journey here.
The Benefits of Beekeeping
Work can be seasonal for cocoa farmers in West Africa, with incomes slowing down outside of harvest periods. Beekeeping can give communities a low-space and low-expense source of additional income.
Our Stories
The Benefits of Beekeeping
Work can be seasonal for cocoa farmers in West Africa, with incomes slowing down outside of harvest periods. Beekeeping can give communities a low-space and low-expense source of additional income.
Planting Shade Trees on Cocoa Farms
Shade and fruit trees help improve the resilience of cocoa crops and promote biodiversity. They also provide opportunities for income diversification, and distributing trees as part of the Income Accelerator Program is having a big impact.
Pruning And Sustainable Cocoa Production
Selectively pruning degraded and diseased branches can help improve overall yield and quality of cocoa pods from older trees. By promoting pruning, farmers can divesify incomes while limiting crop disease and loss, to great effect.