Mars Signs MoU with Cote d’Ivoire
As one of the world’s largest chocolate makers, Mars buys much of its cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire and the West African region. The quantity and quality of this cocoa has steadily diminished. Mars aims to improve not only the yield of cocoa, but also the quality of the lives of men and women who produce cocoa. With the MoU, Mars makes a promise to the people of Côte d’Ivoire that Mars - along with many others - will commit technology, experience and money to help build a sustainable cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.
The economic, social and political challenges within Côte d’Ivoire are well known and the MoU that Mars has signed should not be construed as a solution to these issues. Instead, it commits Mars to work with the Ivorian government to identify the skills, resources and actions necessary to build a framework for future economic, social and environmental improvement. Mars calls this effort 'Farmers First' because it intends to work at the grassroots level – directly with the farmers.
In the spirit of transparency Mars will over the next few weeks release more information about the MoU and will soon launch a website where they will inform on the progress.
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