Mars, Incorporated and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have announced a major five-year strategic collaboration to accelerate climate-smart and regenerative agriculture within their shared cocoa supply chain in Ecuador. Running from 2025 to 2029, the partnership aims to transition thousands of hectares of farmland toward sustainable practices that support both farmer livelihoods and global net-zero targets.
The initiative builds on a decade of joint operations in Ecuador and targets the first phase of implementation across more than 9,000 hectares—an area comparable in size to the island of Santorini. Over 960 farmers in key regions, including Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Manabí, will move from traditional full-sun monoculture to “multistrata agroforestry.” This system mimics natural forests to improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and create natural defences against pests.
“This effort demonstrates our belief that when companies share common goals, they can deepen cooperation and drive more meaningful impact at scale,” said Benjamin Guilbert, Global Vice President of Cocoa at Mars.
Beyond agroforestry, the programme provides farmers with low-carbon fertilisers, advanced crop residue management tools, and biochar applications. These interventions are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon removals while simultaneously improving crop yields. An estimated 4,800 people in local cocoa-growing communities are expected to benefit from the on-farm investments.
Andrew Brooks, Head of Cocoa Sustainability at ofi, emphasised the importance of accessibility: “By making these practices more accessible to farmers, we hope to reduce barriers for implementation and costly inputs, while opening new income opportunities that can make a real difference to building more resilient livelihoods.”
Both Mars and ofi have had their 2050 net-zero ambitions validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The collaboration represents a core component of the Mars Net Zero Roadmap and ofi’s “Choices for Change” strategy, aiming to transform the cocoa ecosystem into a more modern and inclusive supply chain.
