ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, 04 July 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ Hershey, the American chocolate giant, is taking a major step forward in its quest for more sustainable and equitable cocoa supply chains. The company is announcing incentive payments to over 1,400 farmers under its flagship program “Revenue Accelerator”an innovative five-year initiative aimed at radically transforming the living conditions of farming families.
A massive commitment to Ivorian agricultural communities
The deployment of this large-scale program began in April 2023 in Abidjan, in the heart of the Ivorian economic capital. With a total budget of $40 million (around 24 billion CFA francs), it has already positively impacted more than 1,800 households in three key production areas: Duékoué, Guiberoua and Bonon.
The official launch ceremony held on April 24, 2023 brought together high-ranking figures, including Koné Brahima Yves, General Manager of the Conseil du Café-Cacao, and Jason Reiman, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Hershey.
“The Income Accelerator represents a pivotal moment in our long-term commitment to sustainably transforming the lives of cocoa farmers and their children,” said Jason Reiman. “By providing incentive payments directly to farmers, we are creating a virtuous cycle that boosts productivity, improves incomes and builds community resilience.”
This initiative was enthusiastically received by the Ivorian authorities. Koné Brahima Yves stressed the importance of such partnerships: “I thank you for the collaboration between partners and assure you that, whenever it is a question of setting up projects that aim to improve the decent income of the producer, the Coffee-Cocoa Council will support you. We are together to succeed in this program because, improving the income of cocoa producer households in Côte d’Ivoire, this has always been our fight.”
Through the participation of the Coffee-Cocoa Council in the Steering Committee, the project ensures its alignment with the National Sustainable Cocoa Strategy (SNCD) of the government of Côte d’Ivoire which prioritizes improving the income of cocoa producers.
A global action plan for tenfold increase in revenues
To break the vicious circle of poverty among producers, Hershey is relying on a 360° approach aimed at removing all obstacles to economic development:
- Advanced agricultural diagnosis (21 criteria) for resilient and sustainable production
- Co-construction of tailor-made business plans with agricultural experts
- Dedicated training in financial management, entrepreneurship and skills development
- Support for village savings and credit associations (200 strengthened, 350 new ones created)
- Vast reforestation and agroforestry program to regenerate the land
- Incentive cash transfers of USD 100 to 600 (60,000 to 365,000 CFA francs) to reward the achievement of objectives.
Empowering communities for lasting impact
Beyond field support, Hershey places farmers at the heart of the dynamic. A Learning Advisory Committee under the aegis of the Coffee-Cocoa Council has been set up to strengthen public-private dialogue.
Siméon Oulaï, a cocoa producer in Duékoué, shares his enthusiasm: “The first payment received in March was a very pleasant surprise! I quickly reinvested this unexpected windfall in my plantation. But this program goes well beyond the financial aspect – the training gives us the keys to boost our production while preserving our environment.”
Thierry Kouassi, group administrator at the Allah Kabo cooperative in Duékoué, highlights the ripple effect of the program: “The enthusiasm is palpable! Even producers who were initially reluctant are now knocking on our door, impressed by the concrete results. The extension of the project to more producers from 2025 is excellent news for our entire community.”
This initiative exemplifies Hershey’s ongoing commitment to ethical supply chains and the shared prosperity of the communities that feed the world.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) pour Hershey.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is a leading snack company known for delivering more happy moments through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to doing right by its people, its planet and its communities. Hershey employs more than 20,000 people in the United States and around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, high-quality products. The Company has more than 90 brands in approximately 80 countries, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers, as well as savory snacks such as SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.
For 130 years, Hershey has been committed to doing business fairly, ethically and sustainably. The candy and snack maker’s founder, Milton Hershey, founded the Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
For more information : www.thehersheycompany.com
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African Media Agency – AMA
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Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-07-04 12:08:23
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