This simple question is one many cocoa farmers ask as they don’t see what happens to their cocoa beans after they leave the farm.
For World Cocoa and Chocolate Day 2025, Nestlé Ghana hosted 15 of our cocoa farmers from the Ashanti Region at its Tema factory, giving them a firsthand look at how their cocoa is transformed into household brands such as Milo.
These farmers are part of the Income Accelerator Program, which is being implemented across 2,000 farming households in Ghana. The program rewards farmers not only for the quantity and quality of their cocoa beans but also for adopting practices that boost productivity, keep children in school, and diversify income sources. Together, these efforts aim to close the living income gap and help address child labour.
Anthony Ofosu, a cocoa farmer from Adanfonsukitua in the Ashanti Region, expressed his gratitude for the experience:
“From what I have seen, I am deeply impressed. When I return home, I will share my experience with my community so they too can be inspired by the contribution we make to the nation.”
During the visit, the farmers toured various machines and equipment, learning how each one functions and discovering the wide range of products made from Ghanaian cocoa.
Grace Lartey, a cocoa farmer from Adansi Asokwa, said:
“I now realise how important the Income Accelerator Program is—especially when it comes to sending our children to school. When I came to the factory and saw women working there, I understood that it was because they went to school. That’s what made it possible for them to work there.”
Together with Nestlé, we have not only trained farmers on agroforestry and good agricultural practices but have also introduced school transport systems, renovated schools and WASH facilities, and refurbished or established new boreholes.
Our Project Manager, Delight Tendeku, says:
“Nestlé and Beyond Beans have collaborated over the years to strengthen farmer livelihoods, promote sustainable cocoa, and drive meaningful impact in cocoa-growing communities. On this day, we celebrate smallholder cocoa farmers who are the backbone of the chocolate industry. This visit is a special opportunity to honour them and showcase their vital role in sustainable cocoa production.”
Watch more of the farmers’ experiences in the video below: