Income diversification for women cocoa farmers with Nestlé in Côte d’Ivoire

As a strategic partner in Nestle’s Income Accelerator Program in Cote d’Ivoire, ofi worked with local cooperatives to introduce UBEES, a beekeeping initiative designed to diversify and strengthen women cocoa farmers’ incomes. Launched in 2024, the initiative established the technical foundations needed for structured beekeeping in cocoa‑growing communities.

By 2025, it supported 250 women with 1,750 hives and six months of practical training, helping many become community ambassadors. One of these women was Adom Takra Marie Jeanne, a 43-year-old mother of four children. She joined the initiative to earn more regular income to help pay for her children’s education. UBEES has strengthened the value chain by providing tailored protective equipment, Langstroth hives and a new honey factory is set to open in spring 2026.

A major milestone was the launch of Cote d’Ivoire’s first organised bee nursery strategy adapted to the Apis mellifera adansonii breed. This has enabled calmer, more stable bee colonies, paving the way for scalable, long‑term beekeeping, and empowering local women with new economic opportunities.

“My first harvest of 24kg of honey marked a turning point. The sale generated immediate additional income for buying medicine, providing food for the family and purchasing school supplies for my children. It's a profitable activity that integrates perfectly with our agricultural work. My ambition now is to expand to 15 hives and pass on my knowledge to young people in my village.”

Adom Takra Marie Jeanne

43 years, program participant