Nestlé income accelerator yields strong results for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire 

COTE D’IVOIRE – Nestlé’s Income Accelerator Programme is demonstrating tangible benefits for cocoa-farming households in Côte d’Ivoire, according to a new independent evaluation by the KIT Institute.  

The 2024 assessment highlights improvements in income, resilience, and overall well-being among participating families despite a difficult cocoa season. 

The 2023/2024 cocoa season, affected by adverse weather conditions, resulted in one of the poorest harvests in recent years.  

However, farmers enrolled in Nestlé’s programme achieved cocoa yields 18% higher than their non-participating peers. This translated into a 15% increase in total net household income compared to the control group. 

The evaluation, which reviewed progress over the first 30 months of the programme’s test-at-scale phase, covered a sample of approximately 2,000 households from 28 cooperatives. 

It found that farms in the programme were healthier due to widespread adoption of good agricultural practices, such as pruning, weeding, shade management, and pest control. Composting was also introduced during this period. 

Laurent Freixe, CEO of Nestlé, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding the initiative in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the company’s main cocoa-sourcing countries. “We welcome the interest of governments and other industry players in our approach,” he stated. 

The programme has also contributed to improved household resilience, food security, and child well-being. A central feature of the initiative is the equitable distribution of incentives via mobile money to both heads of household, fostering gender equity and financial stability. 

Darrell High, Nestlé Cocoa Manager, noted that the company continues to refine the programme based on farmer feedback and independent reviews. “This report confirms that even in a challenging year, the programme is making a real difference,” he said. 

In response to partner and community feedback, the next phase will simplify its incentive model while maintaining financial support. Incentives will focus on two key areas: pruning for farm improvement and school enrolment for household support. 

Launched in January 2022, the Income Accelerator is designed to close the living income gap and reduce child labour risks by rewarding positive practices in farming and home life. 

Since its 2020 pilot, the programme has grown from 1,000 to 30,000 participating families, with a goal of reaching 50,000 by 2026 and 160,000 by 2030. 

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