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Taking advantage of technology, 90% of leading farmers have received training using mobile devices (tablets)
The 2019/2020 cocoa season has seen more than 19,000 cocoa farmers become beneficiaries of the ¢ 6 million disbursed by Cargill last month through its Licensed Buying Company (LBC), Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited ( CKSL) as sustainability premiums for purchased cocoa beans.
This premium payment is part of strategies to incentivize farmers to adopt sustainable production practices and support farmers’ livelihoods according to the Cargill Cocoa Promise.
Samuel Apana, Country Sustainability Officer, Cargill Ghana Limited, in a statement issued on behalf of the company, noted that Cargill is working closely with Ghanaian cocoa farmers to implement a sourcing model that benefits the sector.
“We are in our fifth year of sourcing sustainable cocoa under our unique sourcing approach that combines new high-tech purchases with the LBC model of direct sourcing and collaboration with farmers and farmer groups, and I am pleased to see that it is working well.” He explained.
“Our brave farmers have been at the center of this success story and we are working with them on a daily basis to ensure that our sourcing model not only generates income for them, but also contributes to maintaining their farms and livelihoods and the industry. in general. ”Commented Mr. Apana.
Martin Anane, the newly appointed Director of Cocoa Sourcing at Cargill Kokoo Sourcing Limited (CKSL), Cargill’s LBC, who has vast experience in the industry, explained that the purchasing process is fully e-money enabled, allowing Cargill pay farmers directly by wire transfer.
“It is unique in that it provides a high level of transparency, traceability and security for farmers, the LBC and other stakeholders,” he noted.
Fact checks on premium payment
A total of 30,000 cocoa farmers in 10 districts benefit from Cargill Cocoa Promise sustainability interventions in Ghana.
With personalized training supported by the Agricultural Development Plan, the professionalism of farmers increases, leading to higher productivity and ultimately higher incomes and better living conditions.
Taking advantage of technology, 90% of leading farmers have received training using mobile devices (tablets).
- 71% of all cocoa farmers in our direct supply chain have been mapped by GPS, ensuring better deforestation risk assessment, effective traceability and better performance determination in line with our commitment under the Cocoa and Forests Initiative and third party certification.
- In keeping with our goal of ‘Protect the Planet’, more than 28,000 farmers have received climate-smart training through the Farmer Field School approach to expose them to the various mitigation and adaptation strategies needed to overcome the impact of climate change in the productivity of your farm. Linked to climate-smart training, a total of 87,400 shade trees have been produced and distributed to farmers for integration into their cocoa farms.
- To support farmers, carry out the rehabilitation of their aging farms in support of the COCOBOD strategy, a total of more than 174,000 cocoa seedlings have been cultivated and distributed in 9 nursery locations, ensuring better yields for farmers in the future.
- Working with COCOBOD’s Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) and through our electronic money entry scheme, a total of 7,000 farmers have received clippers, cutters, and phytosanitary products to improve farm maintenance and resistance to plagues and diseases.
- A total of 143 fumigation service providers have been trained and supported with motorized spraying machines and personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide fumigation services at rates agreed between farmers and service providers, thus creating rural jobs. Through the use of technology, the performance of these service providers is tracked to ensure that farmers get the maximum benefit.
- In Ghana, through partnerships, Cargill has been working with the International Cocoa Initiative to introduce a community-based approach to the risk of child labor in our direct cocoa supply chain. Cargill’s approach involves training women and youth to conduct child labor surveys and coordinate data collection systems in farming communities. Based on this data, specific remediation plans are developed.
- The well-being of the cocoa farming community is an important goal of the Cargill Cocoa Promise. In collaboration with CARE International, a total of 51 community projects were completed, while an additional 47 projects are currently underway in cocoa-producing communities to address the specific needs of the community. Projects range from community water and community-based health services and planning (CHPS).
Positive impact
Referring to the payment made to farmers this year, Aedo van der Weij, Managing Director (MD) of Cargill Ghana, said the figure represents a 12% increase in payment for the 2018/2019 cocoa season, indicating the progressive efforts by the company to deliver greater value. to farmers within its supply network.
“The impact of the Cargill Kokoo Sourcing model on the lives of farmers and their communities has been significant and this has been reflected in the increasing number of farmers joining our network,” the Managing Director enthused.
Farmers
Commenting on the impact of the premium payment, Chief Farmer Solomon Duku expressed his gratitude to Cargill for the support, adding that the farmers will not deny their relationship with Cargill.
“Personally, I have experienced great value for my cocoa beans, as well as farmer interventions on livelihoods, agricultural development, community support, and education on sustainable agriculture. I feel the same excitement with all the farmers who sell their beans to Cargill. That is why we have chosen to remain loyal to Cargill and encourage everyone else who is not selling to Cargill to do the same, ”said Duku.
Cargill COVID-19 Support
Cargill is working with our nonprofits and NGO partners around the world to help address food safety, health and safety needs and industry challenges due to the spread of COVID-19.
Cargill has committed $ 35 million to COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts through global and regional partnerships, product donations, and personal donations from employees. Our response is guided by our purpose to feed the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
“We are inspired by the medical professionals, first responders, workers and farmers in our communities who ensure that our essential needs are met,” said Aedo van der Weij, CEO of Cargill Ghana.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the virus as we continue to work with our partners in global and local relief efforts,” he added.
Cargill Ghana COVID-19 Support
As part of fulfilling the company’s commitment to support the Government of Ghana in helping to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Cargill Ghana donated to the National COVID-19 Trust Fund, a variety of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth of ¢ 100,000.00 GH.
Soaps for hand washing, hand towels and ‘veronica baldes’ were delivered to some 30,000 cocoa farmers and 316 communities in cocoa growing areas in the North Western Region to educate farmers on COVID-19 prevention protocols, especially the importance of hand washing.
Cargill Ghana also relayed the COCOBOD voice message to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to more than 15,000 cocoa farmers to raise awareness of the virus and sensitize them on hand washing, social distancing and other hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
In Tema, where Cargill Ghana’s plant is located, essential food packages were provided to more than 1,000 families during the shutdown, while personal protective equipment and infrared thermometers were also donated to the Tema metro for distribution to health facilities. from the city. In concert with the Ghana Free Zones Board, cocoa produces products from Muslim communities during the Ramadan period.
The staff of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research also received cocoa products as a token of appreciation for the tremendous work they are doing for Ghana.
Diversity and inclusion
We live and work by our values of putting people first and doing the right thing. The cornerstone of our commitment is creating an inclusive culture where our employees feel welcomed, valued and heard. We believe that equal rights and human dignity are absolute. We are with everyone who has spoken to say Black lives matter Y “Never more”. While we don’t have all the answers, we will listen, engage with community partners, use our voices to praise racial equality, and identify ways to drive meaningful and sustainable systemic change.
Our leaders and employees will continue to use our voices and our actions to fight for those rights, along with our customers and our communities.
Cargill Cocoa Promise
We launched the Cargill Cocoa Promise in 2012 to align our efforts in home countries. Our commitment is to improve the livelihoods of farmers and communities in a holistic way that will ensure a prosperous sector for generations to come. Countries of origin include Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Indonesia.
Cargill believes that a prerequisite for real progress in sustainability is ensuring maximum transparency throughout the complex cocoa supply chain. Technology and innovation are central to this ambition.
The details of the cocoa beans are recorded in a standardized management system before they are transferred to the central warehouses. Through this barcode system, Cargill can now trace each individual bag of beans sourced through its LBC to the individual farmer, creating a fully traceable supply chain.
