AMSTERDAM, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ambition for a transparent global supply chain to support better incomes for farmers and a sustainable supply of cocoa and chocolate products 
• 115,000 cocoa farmers trained, 2,550 farmer field schools set-up and 77,000 farmers certified since the Cargill Cocoa Promise launched in 2012. Distributed 25 million seedlings to promote farm development. 
• Improved access to education for over 34,000 children and health care for over 25,000.  

Cargill has released its first global progress report on its activities to support cocoa farmers, communities and the development of a sustainable global cocoa supply chain. The report entitled "A thriving cocoa sector for generations to come" highlights the progress the company has made since its work began over a decade ago and the Cargill Cocoa Promise was launched in 2012 to align its efforts.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120709/543450 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140605/690474 )

"Our ambition is to accelerate progress towards a supply chain that is transparent, enables farmers to achieve better incomes and living standards, and delivers a sustainable supply of cocoa and chocolate products," said Jos de Loor, president of Cargill's cocoa and chocolate business. "We believe educated, empowered and successful farmers are essential to meeting the challenges facing the cocoa and chocolate sector. This report shows how we are making a difference but also highlights the progress we still need to make."

The Cargill Cocoa Promise has reinforced the company's global commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers, their families and their communities, and to securing a long-term, sustainable supply of cocoa. The global programme is taking a local approach by using Cargill's extensive on-the-ground sourcing network to strengthen farmer organisations and work with communities, governments and NGOs to understand local issues and make tangible, long-term differences.

The Cocoa Promise is addressing key challenges in the sector including the need to increase yields and incomes for farmers; improve access to training, infrastructure and finance; improve access to education and healthcare in communities; and regenerate farmland.

The report highlights major results and achievements to date, which include:

• Over 115,000 farmers trained in good agricultural practices in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Indonesia, Brazil and Vietnam.
• 2,550 Farmer Field Schools established globally to provide training and knowledge sharing locally.
• 77,000 farmers and over 342,201 hectares certified through farmer cooperatives and organisations.
• Establishing the Coop Academy in Côte d'Ivoire - a unique, industry-first programme to provide cooperative leaders with knowledge and skills to grow their businesses more successfully.
• U.S. $25 million of certification premiums paid to farmer cooperatives - 50 percent directly benefits farmers while remainder invested by farmer organisations in local communities.
• 25.3 million seedlings distributed to support growth in cocoa production, particularly in Brazil.
• Improved access to education for over 34,000 children in cocoa communities through school build activities, training teachers and providing books.

De Loor continued; "Since we launched the Cargill Cocoa Promise, we have been focusing on delivering positive, tangible results. But in order to benefit more farmers and communities, as well as advance our ambition of a transparent supply chain, it is essential we continue to adapt our approach in each origin. The demand for cocoa is rising each year and consumers are increasingly conscious of where their food comes from and how it is produced. This means collaborating more closely with our customers, governments and partners to understand the challenges facing smallholders and measuring the real impacts of activities to ensure we continue to make a bigger difference."

Notes for editors: 

About Cargill 

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and nearly 150 years of experience. We have 142,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate: 

Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate offers the food industry a wide range of both standard and customised cocoa and chocolate ingredients to be used in delicious bakery, confectionery, and dairy applications all over the world. Our product range includes high quality Gerkens® cocoa powders, chocolate including Wilbur®, Peter's® and Veliche®, coatings, fillings, cocoa liquors and cocoa butters. With years of experience in technical food expertise Cargill supports its customers in new recipes and new product development.

Our facilities in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Germany, Ghana, the Netherlands, UK and the USA are fully dedicated to produce in accordance with the highest food safety standards.

To secure a good quality and sustainable supply of cocoa beans we have our own cocoa bean sourcing operations for buying, handling and/or exporting of cocoa beans in Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia and Vietnam. Presence in all the leading producing countries allows Cargill to oversee the supply chain from beans at origin to cocoa and chocolate products on our customers' doorstep. In addition, extensive market research and analysis proves to be a source of valuable information to our customers.

CONTACT:      
 
Wendy Garbutt +44-1932-861174
wendy_garbutt@cargill.com   

Louis de Schorlemer: +32-15-401-636
louis_de_schorlemer@cargill.com

SOURCE Cargill