A sustainable coconut oil project involving American agribusiness giant Cargill, German chemicals company BASF and global consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has resulted in certified farmers earning 47% more in income in the Philippines and Indonesia .
The partners' combined expertise helped ensure the success of the sustainable certified coconut oil (SCNO) production program, Cargill said on Nov. 13.
Between October 2015 and October 2019, more than 4,100 coconut farmers were trained in Good Agricultural and Processing Practices (GAP) as well as agricultural management practices. Approximately 1,600 farmers received additional training and were certified according to the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard.
Trained and certified farmers had, on average, a 47% higher income than farmers who did not participate in the program, Cargill said.
Certified coconut farmers also harvested more and productivity was 26% higher compared to uninvolved farmers.
The first coconut oil certified by the Rainforest Alliance was produced in 2018 with the support of this partnership.
Certified farms had to meet comprehensive sustainable agriculture requirements related to environmental protection, social equity and economic viability.
The Philippines and Indonesia are the world's two largest coconut producers and exporters of coconut products, Cargill said.
Farmers were mostly small farmers or tenants with less than 4 ha of land and limited access to know-how and finance. The SCNO program gave them a way to address their core challenges.
Jonathan Sumpaico, general manager of Cargill's grains and oilseeds supply chain in the Philippines, said: “Cargill will continue to expand our support, building on the excellent work already done with smallholder coconut farmers to increase their productivity and farm income and , at the same time, promote sustainable coconut sourcing. oil in the world. “
The program was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Source: OFI Magazine
