USA – Cargill has published its third report on the progress and achievements so far of the Cargill Cocoa Promise, which also aims to reduce deforestation by 2030.
The report notes that Cargill Cocoa Promise has already supported over 145,000 farmers worldwide with market access, training and resources and worked with almost 500 farmer organizations and cooperatives.
“Supporting smallholder farmers to build more resilient and sustainable businesses has been at the core of our own cocoa and chocolate business ethos for over two decades”, said Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate President, Harold Poelma.
“But the challenges smallholder-farmers face has changed – and our strategy has evolved accordingly. Using the learning and insights gathered over the years, we have charted a course for the future impact of the Cargill Cocoa Promise.”
Cargill is working on elimination of all forms of child labour in the cocoa supply chain to ensure all children have a future then look up to.
Through the on-going global partnership with the humanitarian organization, CARE, Cargill has introduced over 175 village savings and loan schemes in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
The report also focuses on the progress made in areas of direct sourcing, limiting deforestation, improving traceability and building socioeconomic resilience of farmers and wider communities.
“Achieving the SDGs demands a common approach, making use of new innovations and working with partners across the sector to achieve our common ambition of a more sustainable cocoa sector overall.
We believe our global goals will help accelerate this sector-wide shift, to the benefit of all stakeholders involved”, said Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s Director of Sustainability, Taco Terheijden.
Using GPS technology, Cargill conducted a risk assessment of 2.3 million hectares of forest to evaluate habitat type and tree cover loss, as part of its global efforts to eliminate deforestation across agricultural supply chains by 2030.
The company has expanded its commitment to the SDGs with five 2030 Goals in the following areas: farmer livelihoods, community wellbeing, protecting our planet, consumer confidence, and transformation together
