Example: microfinance for cocoafarmers in the Philipines

In the Philippines, we have invested in a microfinance facility for cocoa farmers. The microfinance loans enable the farmers to plant new cocoa trees. It takes around 4 years before the trees start bearing fruit. The loans are to bridge this period.

The farmers have guaranteed off-take: Kennemer Foods International, Inc. is a Phillipine agribusiness company specializing in the growing, sourcing and trading of high-quality agricultural crops such as fermented cacao beans sourced from smallholder farmers.

The microfinance scheme – under the name Agronomica – was developed by Kennemer to support the smallholder cocoafarmers. It is a natural part of its inclusive business model, supporting farmers to have sustained improvements in income and quality of life.