Faced with the triple challenge of climate change, aging plantations, and declining yields, the future of the coffee industry in Côte d'Ivoire now hinges on the interplay between fieldwork and research. This is the gamble taken by the Nescafé Plan , which is deploying a comprehensive strategy combining technical support, scientific research, and regenerative agriculture.

At the end of June, a two-day immersion allowed media professionals from across the sub-region (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Nigeria) to discover this large-scale system, from the plots of Bingakro (Djekanou) to the laboratories of the Zambakro Research and Development Center, near Yamoussoukro.

Local composting: the first pillar of soil restoration

Beyond pure productivity, the program emphasizes the health of ecosystems. In the field schools, producers learn to adopt sustainable practices, at the heart of which is composting .

1. Valorisation of local resources: The compost is made from coffee husks and plant waste available locally.
2. Economic and environmental benefits: This method improves soil fertility while limiting the use of mineral fertilizers, which are often too expensive for small farmers. It also helps reduce the carbon footprint of plantations.

Dynamic agroforestry: combining cash crops and food crops

At the Zambakro Research and Development Centre, operated by the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NIAS), scientists are rethinking the layout of the plots. Here, agroforestry goes beyond simply planting shade trees: it integrates genuine diversification through food crops (adapted in particular to the cocoa and coffee trees of the system).

The method is based on a specific technique:

1. Severe pruning of the main trees to open up the canopy.
2. Improved light penetration and optimized ventilation.
3. The introduction of compatible companion crops that are beneficial to the soil.

Rigorous trials are being conducted on several crops: pineapple, taro, ginger, soybeans, and peanuts. Among them, the white bean stands out as a promising solution. In addition to reducing weed growth, it fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides an excellent source of protein for families.

Dual impact: food security and explosive growth in adoption rates

This scientific and short-term approach responds to a social priority: feeding families while generating additional income through the sale of surpluses in local markets.

On-the-ground indicators confirm the success and viability of this transition:

1. Adoption increased sixfold: The number of producers actively participating in trials has increased from 50 in 2025 to 300 in 2026 .
2. A promising autonomy: According to data from the research center, 62% of partner farmers kept some of their seeds after the first harvest to start a second growing cycle completely independently.

By empowering producers and enriching the biodiversity of plots, the Nescafé Plan demonstrates that environmental sustainability is the best lever for economic resilience in the face of market and climate uncertainties.