Nestle Malaysia and the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) have partnered to promote sustainable and responsible cocoa farming.
According to the MoU, the two entities will also encourage farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices.
The initiative:
The Nestle Borneo Cocoa Initiative (NBCI) is part of the global Nestle Cocoa Plan Initiative (NCPI). The NBCI wants to create a sustainable supply chain to raise the standard of living for farming communities and end child labor. Moreover, it will offer a framework for transparency and traceability, enabling farmers to increase crop yields and quality.
The initiative marks the first expansion of Nestlé Malaysia’s Farmer Connect programme to East Malaysia.
As part of the initiative, Nestle is launching its Nestlé Farmer Connect Responsible Cocoa Sourcing (NFCRS) program in Sarawak in East Malaysia.
Initially, the cocoa produced through this initiative will be used for the manufacturing of KIT KAT products in Chembong, Negeri Sembilan
How will Nestle and MCB help:
Nestle will provide relevant tools, knowledge, technical expertise and training to MCB and participating farmers. It will also engage recognized external auditors to support the verification process.
MCB will conduct on-site farm assessments and share best practices with the local cocoa farmers. It will also support in establishing a robust traceability system to enhance supply chain transparency from farm to traders.
Overall, the focus will be on adopting regenerative agriculture techniques such as agroforestry with compatible species such as palm oil or rubber trees. The training sessions will also incorporate intercropping with durian, petai (stink bean) or other commercially viable fruits and vegetables. This will enable the farmers to create additional sources of income.
CXO bytes:
“With this partnership, we will now be able to expand our effort to empower cocoa farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to cultivate cocoa sustainably. It is truly exciting times for Nestlé Malaysia, as we continue to ramp up our efforts to diversify and expand the availability of locally produced, responsibly sourced high-quality raw materials and ingredients for our products,” said Juan Aranols, CEO, Nestle Malaysia.
“Nestlé Malaysia’s extensive experience and resources, coupled with our network and industry expertise, will undoubtedly create a positive impact on our local farmers and the environment. Together, we aim to establish a model that promotes economic growth through sustainable practices,” said Datuk Ramle Haji Kasin, Director General, MCB.