The Nestlé Group and the National Center for Agricultural Research (CNRA) have renewed their partnership agreement for the development of high-yielding commodity varieties. On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, the two entities signed this agreement at the premises of the Nestlé Research and Development Center (CRD)

The Nestlé Research and Development Center (CRD) and the National Agricultural Research Center (CNRA) began their collaboration in 2009. For 11 years, therefore, they have been carrying out joint projects, anticipating and responding to the constantly changing needs of the market. Their work has contributed significantly to the revival of cocoa and coffee production in Côte d'Ivoire, through the medium-term distribution of highly productive plants with excellent sensory characteristics

“I am very proud of this solid collaboration between our two institutions, which share common objectives to ensure the production and availability of good quality raw materials while increasing the incomes of our producers,” said Tesfalidet Haile, Director of CRD Abidjan. “We are convinced that this new framework contract, which extends to other speculations, such as cereals, will greatly contribute to the well-being of our community as well as to improving the incomes of our producers.

As for Yté Wongbé, the Director General of the CNRA, he welcomed the renewal of this partnership, which shows the importance of this collaboration. “We are very satisfied with this public-private partnership, which remains unique in its kind, as it allows for tangible results, such as the emerging coffee that goes back into production within a year. We will be delighted to work closely with the Nestlé Group on speculations other than coffee and cocoa, namely cassava, maize, sorghum... used by the group, in order to derive the best nutritional elements for consumers

Taking part in this ceremony, Thomas Caso, CEO of Nestlé Côte d'Ivoire, thanked CNRA for supporting the work of the CRD and reiterated his group's commitment to sustainable collaboration for the benefit of producers and consumers.

CNRA and Nestlé collaborate on a technical and scientific level in the areas of training, consulting, research and development.

Nestlé has the largest private food and nutrition research organization in the world, involving approximately 4,200 people in nearly 23 Research & Development centers around the world, including the one in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, which was inaugurated in 2008.