FROM THE GROUND UP: WHY HEALTHY SOIL MATTERS FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
On World Soil Day, we’re honouring something that often goes unnoticed - the very ground beneath our feet. Soil is the foundation of life itself, nurturing the ecosystems we rely on. In fact, soil stores over 2800 gigatons of carbon in its top soil, globally. When soil degrades, this carbon is released back into the atmosphere, meaning its health is essential in the fight against climate change.
Rising temperatures and intensive land use are taking a heavy toll on our soils putting the livelihoods of farmers, who grow the food we all rely on, at risk. That’s why Ferrero is investing in regenerative agriculture: a proven approach to farming that restores soil health, protects ecosystems, and strengthens farming communities for generations to come.
Our approach starts by understanding where our ingredients come from, supporting the farmers who grow them, and choosing farming practices that give back to the land. Here’s how we’re putting that into action.
Did you know?
- A single gram of soil can contain tens of billions of microorganisms
- Around 95% of global food production depends directly on healthy soil
- Soil holds more carbon than the atmosphere, plants, and forests combined
- Every minute, the world loses an area of fertile soil equal to 30 football fields
Source: Soil Association
Regenerating cocoa landscapes
Shade is essential for healthy soil - it keeps the ground cooler, protects nutrients and helps the plants thrive. That’s why in Ghana, Ferrero is working with partners to provide hands-on training in agroforestry, a technique that integrates shade trees and shrubs into cocoa farms. These trees help enrich the soil, support biodiversity and create better growing conditions for cocoa over the long term.
With long-term support from Ferrero and local partners, the land around Kakum National Park is coming back to life: deforestation is down 60%, forest degradation is down 70% and the park is once again acting as a carbon sink. This progress reflects Ferrero’s strong commitment to no deforestation and to sourcing cocoa responsible—outside protected areas— as outlined in our Cocoa & Forests Initiative report.
The soil’s recovery means reduced tree loss and improved micro-climates, helping cocoa trees to grow more resiliently.
Impact fact: In Wassa Amenfi, Ghana, more than 2,600 farmers across 50 communities have already received over 115,000 seedlings as part of a multi-stakeholder project led by Ferrero and its partners. In a country supplying up to a quarter of the world’s cocoa, the project is converting 5,000 hectares into regenerative cocoa agroforestry.
Restoring landscapes in the palm oil sector
Palm oil production supports millions of livelihoods around the world. Yet in Indonesia - the world’s largest producer - some of the most important palm-growing regions are facing soil degradation and a loss of biodiversity. These challenges don’t just threaten the land - they put farmers’ incomes and the well-being of their families at serious risk.
In Rokan Hulu, our work focuses on equipping independent smallholders with practical training, access to certification pathways and tools that help improve soil health and water management. The programme also strengthens opportunities for women and young people, supporting more diversified and stable household incomes.
Impact Fact: By 2029, Ferrero aims to support more than 5,400 smallholders in adopting regenerative practices, help over 1,000 farmers achieve RSPO and ISPO certification, and support more than 2,000 community members in accessing new income opportunities. These efforts reinforce our commitment to landscape restoration and responsible supply chains.
A future built on healthier soils
Healthy soil plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity, keeping water systems functioning and sustaining farming communities. Yet the need for action is clear: the FAO reports that around 1.7 billion people now live in areas where crop yields are declining due to human-driven land degradation. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly fertile ground can be lost.
Our work in regenerative agriculture is a continuation of our long-held belief in responsible sourcing and transparency. Because when soil thrives, so do the communities, crops and landscapes that sustain us all.
For more information on our commitment for the planet and communities: People and Planet | Ferrero Group
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