Ofi and Nestlé Join Forces for ‘Largest-Ever’ Cocoa Agroforestry Deal

In a significant step forward, Nestlé and Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) have unveiled their largest-ever joint agroforestry initiative — a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at revolutionizing cocoa farming. The bold partnership aims to address two of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges: carbon emissions and deforestation.

Over the next five years, this far-reaching programme will support an estimated 25,000 cocoa farmers across Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Brazil, guiding them toward sustainable agroforestry practices. The initiative is designed to drive real, lasting change from crop residue management to other climate-smart techniques. The numbers are staggering: the project is poised to reduce over 1.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the next 30 years.

At the heart of the project is the planting of approximately 2.8 million trees, strategically spread across more than 72,000 hectares of agroforestry land. This effort will contribute to a broader regenerative agriculture movement, with progress tracked via OFI’s AI-powered carbon stock monitoring tool. This cutting-edge technology ensures every tree is geolocated and monitored to meet ambitious environmental goals.

This transformative initiative is a natural extension of the 15-year partnership between Nestlé and OFI, which has long prioritized sustainable cocoa sourcing. In tandem with Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, the project aligns seamlessly with OFI’s ‘Cocoa Compass’ targets and its broader sustainability strategy, Choices for Change.

The programme is already in motion, with groundwork laid in all three countries. Farmers are being trained in forest-positive agricultural practices that improve environmental outcomes and build long-term economic resilience. They’ll learn how to plant shade trees, compost cocoa pod husks to improve soil health, and adopt methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond the field, farmers will also gain critical knowledge of evolving environmental regulations, including the African Regional Sustainability Standard (ARS) and the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) — preparing them for the future of sustainable farming.

“People are at the heart of our climate actions,” said Darrell High, cocoa plan manager at Nestlé. “We’re working with OFI to help farmers transition to climate-smart farming practices. By supporting a move towards a more regenerative food system, we can continue to build a more responsible cocoa supply chain and progress towards our shared climate goals for 2030 and beyond.”

Andrew Brooks, global head of cocoa sustainability at OFI, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Nestlé on this global climate action initiative. Together, we’re addressing climate challenges by putting farmers at the centre of the solution. Collaborating closely with cocoa communities, we can support farmers in adapting and mitigating climate change and help strengthen the supply of sustainable cocoa ingredients.”

To further incentivize participation, farmers will receive financial rewards for planting and maintaining trees. Long-term monitoring will ensure the success of reforestation and soil carbon capture. OFI's Atsource digital footprint calculator will track the progress and effectiveness of these efforts, ensuring a continuous path toward environmental and economic success.