Lindt Expands Sustainable Cocoa Production

KILCHBERG, SwitzerlandLindt & Sprüngli is extending its farming program in Ghana to provide more than 45,000 cocoa farmers with additional support by 2016. The program will work to improve agricultural, social and environmental farming practices and will more than double productivity yield and increase farm family income.

The program will include detailed farm mapping, a farmer professionalization training package, improved planting material through farmer-led nurseries and access to credit for necessary planting appliances in new farm shops. In each district, a Village Resource Center will be installed.

To date, the sustainability program has benefited 23,000 farmers, with plans to benefit an additional 25,000 by 2016. The company sources 100% of its West African cocoa bean supply from Ghana to ensure consistent volume of high quality cocoa beans.

In addition, Lindt & Sprüngli has already invested more than $5 million in infrastructure and social projects in Ghana. The new initiative, costing another $10 million, will be further enhanced to increase young adults' and women farmers' access to services, while improving their knowledge and leadership skills.

An internal monitoring system will measure progress with regard to good agricultural, social, environmental and business practices of farmers, while external audits will verify progress.