Hershey expands cocoa programme to Nigeria

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) will help increase the incomes of 20,000 farmers in Nigeria through an initiative it started in Ghana in 2012.

The Hershey Learn to Grow programme will be expanded to Nigeria through a public and private partnership with IDH (The Sustainable Trade Initiative) and Source Trust. Farmers will be trained on the business and finance side of cocoa production, and this is expected to double productivity and increase income by 30%.

Hershey Learn to Grow Nigeria will employ computerised tracking of cocoa through the entire supply chain. This will provide farmers with precise information about the size of their farms, age of cocoa trees and ability to use fertilizers to increase production. The programme will also place emphasis on improving cocoa communities through water and power provision, malaria prevention and education programs.

“We believe cocoa farming in Nigeria will benefit greatly from modernisation programmes that help increase incomes, improve communities, reduce child labor and assure long-term supply,” said Terry O’Day, Hershey Senior vice president, Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Related link: Hershey corporate social responsibility scorecard