Techniques shared in the Nescafé Plan programme help farmers reduce fertiliser and pesticide use by 20 per cent. — Photo courtesy of Nestlé
Nestlé ranks first in sustainable development in the field of coffee production, according to the recently published Coffee Barometer industry report.
This result was published in the 2023 Coffee Brew Index ranking of the Coffee Barometer report, which is conducted by a non-profit organisation.
This report recognises that Nestlé has a cohesive and comprehensive sustainability strategy and that its policies, objectives, and actions incorporate the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of coffee production. It also acknowledges Nestlé's dedicated investments to support its work.
David Rennie, Nestlé's head of Coffee Brands, said: “This is recognition for our long-term commitment to sustainability. Through our flagship programmes, namely the Nescafé Plan and the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality drive, we work every day with coffee farmers to help ensure that the farming and production of coffee are sustainable and socially and economically inclusive. We are committed to continuously progressing and bringing new approaches to sustainable coffee farming.”
In Việt Nam, through the Nescafé Plan programme implemented since 2011, Nestlé is supporting coffee farmers in converting to a regenerative, low-emission agricultural model with initiatives that help improve the quality of growing soil, protect water resources, and preserve biodiversity. Better soil quality will contribute to increasing resilience against the impacts of climate change and help absorb CO2.
Since 2022, the majority of farmers under the Nescafé Plan have used microbial fertilisers on their plants, and about 86 per cent of coffee gardens have diversified crops, with an average of three different varieties. Thanks to this, farmers' incomes have improved by 30-100 per cent.
In particular, the plan also supports farmers in applying digital transformation to garden management, as well as sustainable farming practices. With the Digital Farmer Field Book, they can effectively manage inputs such as water and fertiliser, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions for each kilo of harvested coffee.
With the Nescafé Plan operating across the globe, it will contribute to Nestlé’s commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
By 2025, Nestlé will also purchase all of its coffee from sustainable farming sources. Among them, 20 per cent will be purchased from regenerative farming practices, and this rate will increase to 50 per cent by 2030.
The 2023 Coffee Brew Index is supported by Solidaridad and Conservation International and is coordinated by Ethos Agriculture. It has been published for the first time in the Coffee Barometer's biennial report and analyses the sustainability strategy of the world's top 11 roasters. — VNS