6th Cocoa & Forests Initiative Report released
As a member of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative since 2017, Touton continues to collaborate with public institutions, private partners and cocoa-growing communities to advance the initiative’s three priorities: forest protection and restoration; sustainable cocoa production and farmers’ livelihoods; and community engagement and social inclusion.
(Article en français disponible ici )
Covering the 2024-25 cocoa crop year, the report provides an overview of the activities supported through Touton’s direct investments and programmes implemented on behalf of clients. It presents the progress made across the three CFI priorities and highlights how these activities contribute to Touton’s wider approach to building traceable, transparent and responsible cocoa supply chains, through its sustainability programmes and own PACT STANDARD.
Key figures from the 2024–25 reporting period include:
- Nearly 640 000 multipurpose trees distributed, and more than 64 000 hectares of cocoa agroforestry supported, contributing to more resilient farms and landscapes.
- Close to 180 000 farms mapped within Touton’s direct supply chain, reinforcing traceability.
- More than 132 000 farmers provided with technical assistance, helping them improve their cocoa farming practices.
- Over 29 000 people supported in saving money and accessing finance, strengthening financial inclusion within cocoa-growing communities.
Protecting and restoring forests
During the reporting period, Touton further developed its systems for monitoring deforestation risks and strengthening responsible sourcing across its direct cocoa supply chains.This work is complemented by agroforestry, regenerative agricultural practices and landscape-level programmes designed to protect forests and help farmers adapt to climate change. Collaboration with farmers, local stakeholders and partner organisations remains central to implementing these activities with over 89 000 producers being sensitised in forest protection and/or receiving agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture training.
Supporting sustainable production and farmers’ livelihoods
Supporting cocoa farmers remained a key priority, with farm development plans, technical assistance, training and regular coaching tailored to their needs.In total, more than 132 000 producers were provided with technical assistance to professionalise & optimise cocoa farming practices.
Strengthening community engagement and social inclusion
Touton supported locally adapted initiatives designed to improve access to finance, economic opportunities and working conditions within cocoa-growing communities.
During the reporting period, more than 1000 new Village Savings and Loan Associations were established in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, providing community members, particularly women, with opportunities to save, access credit and invest in income-generating activities.
In Côte d’Ivoire, agricultural equipment demonstrations and support for agripreneur service brigades helped promote access to mechanised services, reduce the physical demands of farm work and create rural employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
For more information, read Touton’s full 2024-25 CFI Progress Report and look out for our upcoming Voices from the Field blog posts.