Cargill has made its first ever sustainable premium payment by electronic transfer to cocoa farmers in Ghana. Just over 10,000 farmers are benefiting from the 2 million GHS mobile payments made by Cargill in partnership with its customers through the Cargill Cocoa Promise, Cargill’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers and communities that will secure a thriving cocoa sector for generations to come.

Cargill’s Licensed Buying Company (LBC), which began operating in November 2016, allows the company to directly source cocoa from certified farmers in Ghana – putting the farmer at the heart of its business. The buying process is fully e-money enabled, allowing Cargill to pay farmers directly by electronic transfer for the first time.

Cargill already sources directly from farmers and farmer organizations in other origin countries. Moving to this model in Ghana means that the company is now better positioned to implement sustainability activities under the Cargill Cocoa Promise on a wider scale, while also better serving its customers.

Lionel Soulard, Managing Director Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate West Africa, said, “Our first electronic premium payment in Ghana since Cargill’s LBC was established is good news for farmers. Our new approach, combining new high-tech purchasing with the LBC model of direct sourcing and collaboration with farmers, is working well and we hope to make many more such payments in the future.”