Maximum transparency in the cocoa sector is essential for making real progress on sustainability. It not only helps cocoa farmers, their families and communities prosper, but also helps protect the planet.
Cargill has just released the Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate 2018-2019 Sustainability Progress Report that describes how they are meeting their sustainability goals. The report highlights how the company uses technology to connect every dot in the cocoa supply chain. Harold Poelma, president of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, said that he is confident that working with partners they can continue to make great strides in achieving a thriving cocoa sector.
Their goals include improving the lives of farmers and their communities in the five origin countries from where it directly sources cocoa – Brazil, Cameroon, Ghana, Indonesia, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Cargill realises the opportunities offered by technologies, such as mobile money, GPS mapping, and digital data collection, which allow greater transparency on how cocoa is grown and sourced from farmers. Cargill also sees digitisation driving change across the entire cocoa supply chain. Utilising the valuable information that is collected will inform on how to achieve the best impact on the ground. Cargill also developed a comprehensive data platform that has more than 300 data points along the supply chain. They use this data to inform customers through an interactive customer portal about how collaborative sustainability programs are benefiting farmers and their communities.
Cargill’s goal to a more sustainable, digitally-enabled cocoa supply chain is ongoing. As technology advances, so do their digital capabilities, which has opened doors to new opportunities and services to bring lasting value to farmers, communities, and of course, the environment.
