Cargill and IFC to introduce initiatives for cocoa cooperatives

Cargill has renewed its partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to further strengthen its cocoa-producing cooperatives and their communities, including the Coop Academy 2.0 programme.

Under the new partnership, 40 extra cooperatives will be added to the academy, taking the total count of cooperatives to 120.

The cooperatives will learn new methods to improve their cocoa business, as well as sustainability and profitability. They will also have access to training in capacity building, management and governance.

Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate in West Africa managing director Lionel Soulard said: “The cooperative model has proven to be an exceptional method to bring cocoa farmers and their communities lasting benefits.

“By gaining invaluable skills and tools to professionalize their business, we see them independently driving impactful sustainability projects that bring meaningful change to their communities and the cocoa sector at large.”

As part of Cargill’s new digital programme, 35,250 farmers will get access to digital financial services.

An independent agricultural assessment agency will use a tool developed by IFC and SCOPEInsight to measure impact and increase business opportunities for more than 125,000 farmers.

Additionally, the Coop Academy 2.0 will focus on providing training and support to women’s groups and aims to provide training to 250 women leaders.

Under this initiative, the programme will offer tools and resources to help 3,000 women to setup income-generating activities and increase their earning potential.

IFC West and Central Africa director Aliou Maiga said: “Through our partnership with Cargill, IFC is committed to the long-term growth and sustainability of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry.

“This programme deepens our support for smallholder farmers and helps introduce agricultural best practices and innovative financial services to help Cote d’Ivoire remain the world’s top cocoa producer.”