PROFILE ■ 49
C&CI
Cocoa traders and
Committed to
processors sometimes
draw criticism for the way
March 2010
they conduct their
sustainable cocoa
business in producing
countries, but Scott
Walker, Managing
Ivorian co-operative members and ADM Director of ADM Cocoa
employees review quality requirements
and standards International says the
for cocoa beans
company is committed
to sourcing sustainably
grown cocoa, and high-
lights a number of pro-
grammes that the com-
pany is involved in West
Africa as evidence of its
commitment
quality crops - Archer Daniels Midland
(ADM) says it believes the future of the
global agricultural supply chain depends
An ADM
upon the widespread adoption of sustain-
C
hocolate is one of
agro-economist in West
able business and agricultural practices.
the world’s best
Africa gives a seminar
on best farming
This is why ADM has put in place several
loved luxuries, practices, labour and programmes to help ensure that the cocoa
and every year con-
quality requirements
it sources from western African farms is
sumers around the world produced responsibly.
consume the equivalent of "While we are not cocoa growers,
more than 3 million tonnes of cocoa
Creating
ADM works with others along the cocoa
beans.
sustainable solutions
supply chain to improve the lives of
The task of meeting much of this As one of the world’s largest agricultural cocoa farming families and their com-
demand rests with farmers in West processors - one whose ability to meet the munities. One such initiative is ADM’s
Africa – who provide the bulk of the world’s food and energy needs depends Socially and Environmentally
world’s cocoa harvest - and it is a task upon the continued availability of high- Responsible Agricultural Practices
fraught with complex challenges. Each Programme, or SERAP," Mr Walker told
year, an estimated one-third of the C&CI, explaining that SERAP provides
global cocoa crop is destroyed by
As one of the world’s
financial incentives for cocoa farmers in
pests and by viral, bacterial and fungal largest agricultural processors - Côte d’Ivoire who meet specific criteria
diseases. Few farmers have access to
one whose ability to meet the
related to financial transparency, product
the latest agricultural technology, plant-
world’s food and energy needs
quality, farm safety, responsible labor
ing materials or market information, and practices and environmental stewardship.
fewer still have business training to help
depends upon the continued
"The programme is working," said Mr
them effectively market their product or
availability of high-quality crops
Walker. "Since 2005, SERAP has provided
manage their operations.
- ADM says it believes the future
more than US$3.3 million to co-opera-
Many cocoa farming communities tives and individual farmers in Côte
also face challenges related to poverty
of the global agricultural supply
d’Ivoire that meet programme criteria and
and disease, particularly HIV/AIDS, and
chain depends upon the
demonstrate continuous improvement.
concerns about the safe use of chemi-
widespread adoption of
During the 2005-2006 growing year, six
cals and farm labour practices are co-operatives with approximately 6,000
receiving considerable attention from
sustainable business and
farmer members participated in SERAP,
governments, non-governmental organi- agricultural practices delivering 4,000 tonnes of cocoa under
sations and interested consumers the programme; and during the 2008-09
worldwide. growing year, the number of participating
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