UPL Corp expands support for cocoa farmers in West Africa

AFRICA – UPL Corp, a global leader in crop protection and biological solutions, has reported significant progress in its work with cocoa farmers under the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI).

The company’s 2024 progress report, released recently, highlights investments in farmer livelihoods, financial inclusion, and climate-resilient practices across Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

“As the only agricultural inputs company that is a signatory to the CFI, UPL continues to champion collaboration and on-the-ground partnerships with farmers to drive resilience in the cocoa sector,” said Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO of UPL Ltd.

“In a time of extreme climate risks and price instability, our role as a trusted partner has never been more important.”

Training and diversification

UPL reported that farmers participating in its programs recorded a 37 percent increase in yields over the 2023–24 season. The company credits this to its ProNutiva approach, which combines biosolutions such as BANZAÏ Bonus, Genius fungicide, and Captiva Prime insecticide with farmer training.

In addition to cocoa, UPL has expanded crop diversification programs. Through partnerships with exporters including Touton, OFI, Barry Callebaut, and Cargill, farmers have received training to grow peppers, okra, and other vegetables. These efforts help farmers earn supplementary income during the cocoa off-season and strengthen local food security.

“Our initiatives equipped farmers with the knowledge to balance chemical and non-chemical approaches, boosting yields and creating healthier crops,” said Hubert Ehouman, UPL Corp’s Cocoa Lead for West and Central Africa.

Finance and community programs

Financial access remains a challenge for many cocoa-growing households. To address this, UPL has helped establish Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), informal groups that provide farmers with savings and credit services.

In 2023–24, more than 328 groups were active in Ghana and 260 in Côte d’Ivoire, reaching thousands of members.

The company also introduced tailored input credit facilities in partnership with microfinance institutions. These allow farmers to access quality inputs and repay loans after harvest.

Such mechanisms are particularly important for women farmers, who often face limited access to financial resources.

UPL exceeded its women’s empowerment target for 2024 by training 2,200 women in Ghana and engaging 1,500 in Côte d’Ivoire. These programs support female farmers in adopting good agricultural practices and cultivating secondary crops.

Looking ahead

Despite challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases, UPL reported that it had met or surpassed all of its CFI targets for the season.

The company now plans to expand into new regions across West and Central Africa while strengthening partnerships across the cocoa value chain.

“Our intensification programs will continue to boost productivity while protecting forest cover,” said Ehouman. “We are committed to expanding our biosolutions portfolio and introducing more sustainable products to enhance farmer resilience and profitability.”

By aligning with the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, UPL positions itself as a key partner in the effort to secure the future of cocoa farming while reducing deforestation and supporting community livelihoods.

Download the full report here.

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