Where do our Cocoa Beans come from?

Charbonnel et Walker partners with Cocoa Horizons, a Not-For-Profit organisation to source our cocoa beans that are grown in West Africa. Cocoa Horizons impact-driven program drives meaningful change for local communities who are immersed in the heart of cocoa rich regions of West Africa. Working with farmers to develop self-sustaining communities, with respect to the community and environment, ensures for an amelioration of cocoa production practices and livelihoods of all those involved.

With sustainability a priority for us throughout the company, our partnership with Cocoa Horizons supports sustainable cocoa forestry and more environmentally-friendly practices. This combined approach expands the ability to improve livelihoods, household income and help to reduce poverty in local communities.

Our collaboration with Cocoa Horizons prioritizes social and environmental benefits, ranging from coaching programmes for farmers, better equipment, individual farm business plans, income diversification support and women’s empowerment activities, to education and schooling access offered to cocoa farming villages. Alongside a community driven focus, initiatives to support the local environment helps to protect nature and landscapes, including the planting of new shade trees and forest restoration projects.

How it works

Part of the premium we contribute towards by the Cocoa Horizons Foundation is invested in activities to improve farmers wellbeing and livelihoods long-term. Training programmes and tools are provided for cocoa farmers to enhance their craftsmanship skills, resulting in better quality and better tasting cocoa beans.

In more detail, the Cocoa Horizons Foundation works with cocoa farms and farmers in the supply chain, based on large farm datasets from agronomic, economic and social survey data. This data allows for tailor-made programmes with a focus on the key issues of specific cocoa farming communities. This customised approach and coaching offering can innovate and test the right way to increase the scale of more rewarding crops.

Farmers participating in the program benefit from a better price for their cocoa, encouraging a higher economic incentive to improve the economic value. This enables farmers to invest in their farms, support their children’s education and improve their overall livelihoods in rural communities.

 

Positive stories

These developed support networks offered through Farm Services within Cocoa Horizons allows farmers to improve their cocoa farms and services included. These services include cocoa production coaching, support for farmers to access financing solutions, and providing cocoa farmers with improved planting materials. (The Cocoa Horizons Foundation activities and premium distribution are audited annually by a third party).

As mentioned, farmers receive coaching to improve the productivity of their plantations, ensuring knowledge of production methodology is everlasting and generational. These cultivation methods are taught by accredited coaches. Last year there were more than 214,305 farmers that graduated, allowing them to move to more individual coaching.

Within these communities, women are also taught smart farming practices and financial management. They learn to grow cocoa and other crops on their own land. With these training courses and the income from their farms, women can become financially independent and have access to better facilities for their families.

The Cocoa Horizons Foundation distributes school kits to families. This allows children to access education. The Cocoa Horizons truck visits villages in remote areas to engage communities by raising awareness on child protection and providing medical advice. Children are also able to partake in games and events to stimulate educational learning.

At Charbonnel et Walker, we are focused on the production of sustainably sourced cocoa beans through environmentally friendly farming practices. Cocoa Horizons enables close relationships with farmers to prioritize community and relationship building, and the improvement of livelihoods for cocoa farmers. In turn, our work with Cocoa Horizons allows for transparency and accountability throughout the cocoa production process. We are dedicated to an effective sustainability program, combined with a vision and commitment to make better choices and creating a more sustainable future.

More information can be found here:
www.cocoahorizons.org
www.cocoahorizons.org/our-activities