Confectionary manufacturer Mars and ingredients supplier ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have announced a regenerative farming partnership.
In a statement, the businesses described the tie-up as a “climate-smart” move that is expected to support nearly 1,000 farmers adopt agroforestry and low-carbon practices.
The move, they said, aims to boost yields, cut emissions and strengthen resilience across key cocoa-growing regions.
The companies have been working together for 15 years already, but this new regenerative farming collaboration marks a five-year project in Ecuador’s cocoa sector, as both organisations work towards achieving a position of net zero emissions by 2050.
Phase one is expected to support more than 960 farmers across key cocoa-growing regions including El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santo Domingo. The programme will span over 9,000 hectares – an area roughly equivalent to the Greek island of Santorini – and promote a transition from full-sun monoculture to multistrata agroforestry systems.
According to Mars and ofi, by mimicking natural forest ecosystems, agroforestry can enhance cocoa yields while supporting biodiversity, improving soil health and creating natural resilience against pests and disease.
Farmers will also gain access to low-carbon fertilisers, improved crop residue management techniques and biochar applications, all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while increasing carbon sequestration.
In addition to on-farm benefits, around 4,800 people in surrounding communities are also expected to benefit from the initiative through improved livelihoods and local economic opportunities.
Benjamin Guilbert, global vice president for cocoa at Mars, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to scaling impact.
“Building on our long-standing collaboration in cocoa sourcing, this effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale,” he said.
Head of cocoa sustainability at ofi, Andrew Brooks, emphasised the importance of accessibility and long-term resilience.
“By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods,” he remarked.
“Our latest climate action collaboration with Mars is sparked by our shared, science-based net-zero ambitions to create change for a stronger food system so we can continue to enjoy the chocolate products we all love. Working jointly in Ecuador for 10 years, we’re developing local insights to help accelerate positive impact for the people and landscapes vital for cocoa.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
