Cargill has highlighted how its use of digital technologies is driving change towards a transparent and sustainable supply of cocoa in its latest sustainability progress report.
The Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate 2018-2019 Sustainability Progress Report outlines the company’s commitments to improve the lives of farmers and their communities in the five origin countries from where it directly sources cocoa – Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia.
Through its Cargill Cocoa Promise, the US corporation says it has realised how technologies such as mobile money, GPS mapping and digital data collection can allow for greater transparency on how cocoa is grown and sourced from farmers.
With the use of barcoded cocoa bags and digital Cooperative Management Systems (CMS), Cargill reports that 50% of sustainable cocoa beans in its global direct supply chain are now traceable from farm-to-factory. Between 2018 and 2019, 151,190 metric tonnes of cocoa beans were allegedly tracked.
Another achievement includes a significant increase in the implementation of child labour monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS). In addition to Côte d’Ivoire, Cargill now deploys CLMRS in Ghana and Cameroon, reaching a total of 58,800 farmers in 2018-2019 and extending its reach from 7% to 29% of its total farmers.
Finally, 72% of its farmers are now reached with GPS polygon mapping which in combination with satellite imagery, enables the company to effectively monitor deforestation risks.
“This sustainability progress report highlights how Cargill uses technology to connect every dot in the cocoa supply chain,” said Harold Poelma, president of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.
He added: “Maximum transparency in the cocoa sector is critical for making real progress on sustainability. It not only helps cocoa farmers, their families and communities prosper, but also helps protect our planet. I am confident that working with our partners we can continue to make great strides in achieving a thriving cocoa sector.”
