Global food company Cargill has forged a partnership with Nestlé to extend the Nestlé Cocoa Plan (NCP) to benefit its network of cocoa farmers in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The new partnership is expected to strengthen Cargill Cocoa Promise, which aims to deliver a prosperous and sustainable cocoa sector for future generations.

Cargill Asia Pacific cocoa and chocolate managing director Francesca Kleemans said: “Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions for chocolate globally and this has opened up opportunities for Indonesia to respond as the most prominent Asian producer.

“The country is already a key cocoa sourcing origin and processing location for Cargill’s products in the region. Cargill and Nestlé have long shared a close working relationship and a vision to support the long-term holistic development of cocoa farming communities.

“With this sustainability-focused partnership, we look forward to the impact our joint efforts will make in improving the livelihoods of thousands of households, and revitalise Indonesia’s global standing as a leading cocoa origination market.”

The NCP program in Indonesia builds on already established Nestlé Cocoa Plan partnerships between the two companies in other major cocoa sourcing markets, including Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Beginning with 2,000 farmers this year, the programme will provide training on sustainable farming practices, access to farm inputs and replanting support.

The programme will also focus on better cocoa wher Cargill aims to bring complete transparency on cocoa supplied to Nestlé from Indonesia using digital tools to facilitate supply chain traceability.

Nestlé Global Cocoa Plan manager Darrell High said: “We are delighted to work together with Cargill to expand the implementation of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in Indonesia. Collaboration with our suppliers is key to improve the sustainability of the cocoa sector and the lives of cocoa farmers.

“This is part of our commitment to source 100% of our cocoa within the Nestlé Cocoa Plan by 2025.”

In another development, Nestlé said that ABB robots are helping the company to improve the productivity of pallet loading in its chocolate manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

ABB’s SafeMove collaborative robot technology enhances employee safety and efficiency at Nestle’s confectionary factories.