In the small village of Gnamagnoa, Ivory Coast, farmer François Dadi Serikpa tends to his coffee plantation, thanks to the Nescafé Plan, a global initiative launched by Nestlé to make coffee farming more sustainable, fair, and environmentally friendly. As a former bus driver, Serikpa found new meaning in life and prosperity through coffee farming, which now supports his family of twelve children and twenty-one grandchildren. The Nescafé Plan has taught him how to care for his soil, plant new varieties, and manage his plantation, resulting in improved production and more resistant trees.
Serikpa’s experience is not unique, as thousands of people in the coffee industry in Côte d’Ivoire have benefited from Nestlé’s commitment to participating in their development. The company has been present in the country for over 65 years, contributing to job creation and business development. However, the coffee industry in Côte d’Ivoire has faced significant challenges, including declining production due to aging plantations, climate change, limited access to finance, and competition from other crops.
To address these challenges, Nestlé has implemented programs focused on sustainable development and productivity, including the Nescafé Plan, which supports over 21,000 coffee-producing families in Côte d’Ivoire. Farmers receive training from agronomists on practices that comply with the Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C standards), which aim to make coffee production more sustainable, fair, and traceable. Additionally, Nestlé provides high-yield Robusta seedlings developed at its Research and Development Centre in Zambakro, and sources green coffee directly from farmer cooperatives through its Farmer Connect program.
The results have been significant, with farmers like Serikpa seeing improvements in yields ranging from 600 to 1200 kg per hectare. Nestlé also supports urban hot coffee vendors through its entrepreneurship support initiative, My Own Business, which provides equipment, training, and resources to help them run their own businesses and generate stable incomes. This program has proven beneficial for young people wishing to integrate into the social and economic fabric.
Mame Pane Sakho, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the importance of investing in local farmers and entrepreneurs to build a strong and sustainable coffee industry. “It’s not just about coffee; it’s about creating a lasting impact in the communities we serve,” she said. The history of Nescafé in Côte d’Ivoire is an example of shared value, with each cup reflecting a commitment to quality and collaboration. With domestic coffee consumption projected to reach approximately 1.38 million kilograms in 2025, generating $32.13 million in total revenue, the future of the coffee industry in Côte d’Ivoire looks promising.