By engaging multiple partners in its Cocoa Life program, Mondelez International supports farming communities in finding real solutions that lead to transformation and sustainability.
A corporate approach allowing farmers to share their problems has become increasingly popular these days as companies want to make their community assistance programs run effectively.
Through shared problems, such as infertile land, low yields and poor access to a market, for example, companies can design a program that meets the farmers’ needs, which they commonly undertake under their respective sustainability initiatives.
Many companies, however, are apt to focus on one or two areas in regard to the relevant aid they give through an average three-year project. Its has led to the frequently raised question as to whether a program has a significant impact on the farming communities in the context of sustainability.
Given the increasingly varied and complex issues facing farming communities, the right strategies and approach are therefore needed by companies to significantly contribute to a long-term impact on sustainable farming.
This explains why global chocolate company, Mondelez International, is currently running Cocoa Life in six cocoa-producing countries, including Indonesia, with a holistic approach being adopted to support sustainable cocoa supply. Under the holistic approach, a range of concerns facing farming communities are handled through a focus on five pillars: farming, community, livelihood, youth and environment.
Cocoa Life is a holistic sustainability program that reinforces the future of cocoa by empowering today’s farming communities and inspiring tomorrow’s cocoa generations. Globally, it started three years ago and in Indonesia, it kicked off in September 2013, with the program aimed at cocoa–farming communities in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Papua.
Cocoa Life is part of the Call for Well-Being strategy - a platform that Mondelez International uses as a reference in running their business and ensuring environmental safety.
“Call for Well-Being is the company’s commitment to marrying sustainability with company growth. This strategy helps Mondelez operate a more sustainable business, not only for us but also for the environment in countries where we operate,” said Mondelez Indonesia’s managing director Jiri Hejl.
“As the world’s largest chocolate company, we are committed to supporting the success of Cocoa Life and helping ensure a qualified and sustainable cocoa supply.”
Mondelez International’s Cocoa Program Development Manager for Southeast Asia, Andi Sitti Asmayanti (Yanti), explained that Cocoa Life aimed to strengthen and develop cocoa farmers in Indonesia and ensure sustainable cocoa by embracing young generations around farming sites to become the next farming generation.
The 10-year program will run until 2022, targeting more than 200,000 farmers in the six countries, with more than 40,000 farmers in Indonesia.
To reach the goal, Cocoa Life works based on three principles: holistic farmer centric, partnership and sourcing alignment.
“Whatever we do with Cocoa Life is intended for farmers and should be seen from the standpoint of farmers, what they really want, so we do not apply top-down but a bottom-up approach in this regard,” said Yanti.
According to Yanti, Mondelez, through its partners, is frequently engaged in a discussion with farmers and local governments in the respective provinces to learn their perspectives on what value Cocoa Life will have for farmers, and “certainly from our side what benefits farmers will reap from this program. From the standpoint of productivity, the farmers can adopt the knowledge they have gained to boost their output. We also provide much-needed fertilizer and other plant materials, etc.”
With the current insignificant role of women in the life of farming communities, efforts should be made to empower women because they have a vital role in developing the next cocoa-farming generation. While, with regard to the environment, “the challenge is how to boost production without causing damage to the environment,” she said, adding that each pillar was interrelated.
Multi-partners
In implementing the program, Mondelez engages many partners to enable the program to develop and scale up sustainable cocoa supply so as to meet the objectives. Each pillar entails relevant expertise from the respective partners, which include local and international NGOs.
By creating partnerships with communities, governments, national and international NGOs and supply-chain partners, “we can support Cocoa Life communities in finding real solutions that lead to measurable transformation,” the company says.
“Partnerships are vital for best practice, sustainability, synergy and scale – they bring competence related to the program objectives – institutions and connectivity with our supply chain. We believe partnership is the key to lasting change,” it says.
Apart from partners representing experts in the respective five pillars, the program is also being run in partnership with government bodies including the Ministry of Agriculture, Coordinating Economic Ministry and Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute.
Yanti emphasized the importance of transparency in the program in the sense that the partners with their respective fields of expertise work to take a look at the existing issues based on their respective areas.
“For example, at the level of adoption. They have to find out how the farmers do the farming and find the best ways of farming,” she said.
She described farmers’ various problems and challenges in each targeted province following an assessment by its partner, CARE Indonesia, an international NGO whose key programmatic area of focus includes economic empowerment.
When Cocoa Life entered Lampung, local cocoa farmers had abandoned their land, which they considered unproductive following the last yields of their cocoa trees that have a life span of between 25 and 30 years, but after receiving education under the Cocoa Life program, they began to realize that the area had more choices in terms of land for cocoa farming.
“Based on input that they gave, they have frequently received training and so we assess the extent of the level of knowledge they have and we adjust our training to this level,” she said. “The biggest challenge in this regard is to invite them to join the program and see how the program can give added value to them.”
While in Sulawesi, most farmers are already knowledgeable about cocoa agriculture and so “our great challenge is how to conduct training and at the same time adopt theory into practice on the ground. Room training is conducted for approximately seven days and the rest is direct training in the cocoa farms.”
Each area is similar in terms of measuring activities through the key performance indicators (KPI) and the difference rests on the program focus, which will depend on the stakeholders, according to Yanti.
Verification
To ensure that Mondelez runs the program in a correct way, the program is subject to verification by an independent party after three years, apart from internal monitoring and annual evaluation.
“A Harvard University team conducts research on the program to verify the program itself, whether it has an impact or not, without Mondelez’s intervention,” said Yanti, adding that they could publish their research results without Mondelez’s approval.
According to CARE International Indonesia’s Country Director, Helen Vanwell, the independent verification of the program supports Cocoa Life’s commitment to the objectives and the KPI that have been set-out.
“Verifying Cocoa Life’s impact on the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities, especially women and youth will build greater confidence to increase participation in the program and benefit more communities to join,” she pointed out.
On the role that CARE Indonesia plays in the program, Vanwell said that while CARE looked at farming issues in the assessment, “our key focus was on communities including women and youth. Mondelez through its Cocoa Life program and CARE know that enabling resilient, thriving communities are essential foundations for sustainable cocoa thus benefiting all stakeholders including communities and providing shared value for all.
“If for example there are no opportunities for youth in cocoa-livelihood opportunities, and to assist a cocoa community they leave, then cocoa farming will not survive,” she said.
“Cocoa Life aims to identify livelihood opportunities and to assist cocoa communities in building communities that are desirable places to live including for young families.”
“The Cocoa Life program is a good example of how global corporations like Mondelez can transform a business challenge
around sustainability of their cocoa supply to provide development solutions that positively impact the lives of thousands of cocoa farmers in their supply chain,” she added.
_________________________
Partners for Change
This page is produced by The Jakarta Post in cooperation with Company-Community Partnerships for Health in Indonesia (CCPHI). It promotes best practices in corporate community partnerships. For more information, contact the Supplements & Supplemental Products section at supplement@thejakartapost.com.
- See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/23/ensuring-sustainable-cocoa-farming-indonesia.html#sthash.X3fUPpnN.dpuf
Showing posts with label indonesia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indonesia. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Community Partnership: Ensuring sustainable cocoa farming in Indonesia
By engaging multiple partners in its Cocoa Life program, Mondelez International supports farming communities in finding real solutions that lead to transformation and sustainability.
A corporate approach allowing farmers to share their problems has become increasingly popular these days as companies want to make their community assistance programs run effectively.
Through shared problems, such as infertile land, low yields and poor access to a market, for example, companies can design a program that meets the farmers’ needs, which they commonly undertake under their respective sustainability initiatives.
Many companies, however, are apt to focus on one or two areas in regard to the relevant aid they give through an average three-year project. Its has led to the frequently raised question as to whether a program has a significant impact on the farming communities in the context of sustainability.
Given the increasingly varied and complex issues facing farming communities, the right strategies and approach are therefore needed by companies to significantly contribute to a long-term impact on sustainable farming.
This explains why global chocolate company, Mondelez International, is currently running Cocoa Life in six cocoa-producing countries, including Indonesia, with a holistic approach being adopted to support sustainable cocoa supply. Under the holistic approach, a range of concerns facing farming communities are handled through a focus on five pillars: farming, community, livelihood, youth and environment.
Cocoa Life is a holistic sustainability program that reinforces the future of cocoa by empowering today’s farming communities and inspiring tomorrow’s cocoa generations. Globally, it started three years ago and in Indonesia, it kicked off in September 2013, with the program aimed at cocoa–farming communities in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Papua.
Cocoa Life is part of the Call for Well-Being strategy - a platform that Mondelez International uses as a reference in running their business and ensuring environmental safety.
“Call for Well-Being is the company’s commitment to marrying sustainability with company growth. This strategy helps Mondelez operate a more sustainable business, not only for us but also for the environment in countries where we operate,” said Mondelez Indonesia’s managing director Jiri Hejl.
“As the world’s largest chocolate company, we are committed to supporting the success of Cocoa Life and helping ensure a qualified and sustainable cocoa supply.”
Mondelez International’s Cocoa Program Development Manager for Southeast Asia, Andi Sitti Asmayanti (Yanti), explained that Cocoa Life aimed to strengthen and develop cocoa farmers in Indonesia and ensure sustainable cocoa by embracing young generations around farming sites to become the next farming generation.
The 10-year program will run until 2022, targeting more than 200,000 farmers in the six countries, with more than 40,000 farmers in Indonesia.
To reach the goal, Cocoa Life works based on three principles: holistic farmer centric, partnership and sourcing alignment.
“Whatever we do with Cocoa Life is intended for farmers and should be seen from the standpoint of farmers, what they really want, so we do not apply top-down but a bottom-up approach in this regard,” said Yanti.
According to Yanti, Mondelez, through its partners, is frequently engaged in a discussion with farmers and local governments in the respective provinces to learn their perspectives on what value Cocoa Life will have for farmers, and “certainly from our side what benefits farmers will reap from this program. From the standpoint of productivity, the farmers can adopt the knowledge they have gained to boost their output. We also provide much-needed fertilizer and other plant materials, etc.”
With the current insignificant role of women in the life of farming communities, efforts should be made to empower women because they have a vital role in developing the next cocoa-farming generation. While, with regard to the environment, “the challenge is how to boost production without causing damage to the environment,” she said, adding that each pillar was interrelated.
Multi-partners
In implementing the program, Mondelez engages many partners to enable the program to develop and scale up sustainable cocoa supply so as to meet the objectives. Each pillar entails relevant expertise from the respective partners, which include local and international NGOs.
By creating partnerships with communities, governments, national and international NGOs and supply-chain partners, “we can support Cocoa Life communities in finding real solutions that lead to measurable transformation,” the company says.
“Partnerships are vital for best practice, sustainability, synergy and scale – they bring competence related to the program objectives – institutions and connectivity with our supply chain. We believe partnership is the key to lasting change,” it says.
Apart from partners representing experts in the respective five pillars, the program is also being run in partnership with government bodies including the Ministry of Agriculture, Coordinating Economic Ministry and Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute.
Yanti emphasized the importance of transparency in the program in the sense that the partners with their respective fields of expertise work to take a look at the existing issues based on their respective areas.
“For example, at the level of adoption. They have to find out how the farmers do the farming and find the best ways of farming,” she said.
She described farmers’ various problems and challenges in each targeted province following an assessment by its partner, CARE Indonesia, an international NGO whose key programmatic area of focus includes economic empowerment.
When Cocoa Life entered Lampung, local cocoa farmers had abandoned their land, which they considered unproductive following the last yields of their cocoa trees that have a life span of between 25 and 30 years, but after receiving education under the Cocoa Life program, they began to realize that the area had more choices in terms of land for cocoa farming.
“Based on input that they gave, they have frequently received training and so we assess the extent of the level of knowledge they have and we adjust our training to this level,” she said. “The biggest challenge in this regard is to invite them to join the program and see how the program can give added value to them.”
While in Sulawesi, most farmers are already knowledgeable about cocoa agriculture and so “our great challenge is how to conduct training and at the same time adopt theory into practice on the ground. Room training is conducted for approximately seven days and the rest is direct training in the cocoa farms.”
Each area is similar in terms of measuring activities through the key performance indicators (KPI) and the difference rests on the program focus, which will depend on the stakeholders, according to Yanti.
Verification
To ensure that Mondelez runs the program in a correct way, the program is subject to verification by an independent party after three years, apart from internal monitoring and annual evaluation.
“A Harvard University team conducts research on the program to verify the program itself, whether it has an impact or not, without Mondelez’s intervention,” said Yanti, adding that they could publish their research results without Mondelez’s approval.
According to CARE International Indonesia’s Country Director, Helen Vanwell, the independent verification of the program supports Cocoa Life’s commitment to the objectives and the KPI that have been set-out.
“Verifying Cocoa Life’s impact on the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities, especially women and youth will build greater confidence to increase participation in the program and benefit more communities to join,” she pointed out.
On the role that CARE Indonesia plays in the program, Vanwell said that while CARE looked at farming issues in the assessment, “our key focus was on communities including women and youth. Mondelez through its Cocoa Life program and CARE know that enabling resilient, thriving communities are essential foundations for sustainable cocoa thus benefiting all stakeholders including communities and providing shared value for all.
“If for example there are no opportunities for youth in cocoa-livelihood opportunities, and to assist a cocoa community they leave, then cocoa farming will not survive,” she said.
“Cocoa Life aims to identify livelihood opportunities and to assist cocoa communities in building communities that are desirable places to live including for young families.”
“The Cocoa Life program is a good example of how global corporations like Mondelez can transform a business challenge
around sustainability of their cocoa supply to provide development solutions that positively impact the lives of thousands of cocoa farmers in their supply chain,” she added.
_________________________
Partners for Change
This page is produced by The Jakarta Post in cooperation with Company-Community Partnerships for Health in Indonesia (CCPHI). It promotes best practices in corporate community partnerships. For more information, contact the Supplements & Supplemental Products section at supplement@thejakartapost.com.
- See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/23/ensuring-sustainable-cocoa-farming-indonesia.html#sthash.X3fUPpnN.dpuf
Sunday, 6 July 2014
CSR approach in Oil & Gas Indonesia
Total Indonesia is involved in sustainable community
empowerment and capacity building actions in the areas of education and
research, health and nutrition, local economic empowerment, environment and
alternative energies. These endeavours are consistent with Total’s commitment
to answer the challenges of sustainable development.
Total’s commitment in the country is further
exemplified through its manpower program,
with an extensive plan to develop national manpower and high level national
managers through training and international assignments, as well as career
developments for new recruits. Total also continues to enlarge partnerships
with national businesses and significantly enhance employment, which is
currently estimated at 20,000 full time jobs on its industrial sites.
One of its
CSR programs in East Kalimantan opens doors for local food and other products,
increases the usage of local materials and also job opportunities for local
people.
The CSR approach has changed over the years from giving handouts to needy recipients to giving them a helping hand in realizing their potential.
“We’ve been through an evolution when it comes to CSR. The former approach called for philanthropy, basically sponsorships. But now, we’ve moved on to the concept of creating sustainable development,” says Kusuma Adinugroho, head of the Sustainable Development and Societal Relations Division at Total E&P Indonesia.
The CSR approach has changed over the years from giving handouts to needy recipients to giving them a helping hand in realizing their potential.
“We’ve been through an evolution when it comes to CSR. The former approach called for philanthropy, basically sponsorships. But now, we’ve moved on to the concept of creating sustainable development,” says Kusuma Adinugroho, head of the Sustainable Development and Societal Relations Division at Total E&P Indonesia.
Among the
company’s CSR strategies are programs in economic empowerment, education,
health, environment and alternative energy as well as cultural.
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
World Cocoa Foundation Co-Hosts International Conference on Cocoa Sustainability in Indonesia
World Cocoa Foundation Co-Hosts International Conference on Cocoa Sustainability in Indonesia
visit site
NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, May 14, 2014 – The global sustainable cocoa community convenes in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, on May 15-16 for the Sixth Indonesian International Cocoa Conference and 25th World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting. The unprecedented alliance between conference co-hosts, the Indonesian Cocoa Association (ASKINDO) and WCF, will bring together leaders in sustainability from across the cocoa supply chain. The event’s theme is “Empowering Smallholders for a Sustainable Cocoa Industry.”
Empowering People, Changing lives program with Cocoa section
visit site
NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, May 14, 2014 – The global sustainable cocoa community convenes in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, on May 15-16 for the Sixth Indonesian International Cocoa Conference and 25th World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting. The unprecedented alliance between conference co-hosts, the Indonesian Cocoa Association (ASKINDO) and WCF, will bring together leaders in sustainability from across the cocoa supply chain. The event’s theme is “Empowering Smallholders for a Sustainable Cocoa Industry.”
Empowering People, Changing lives program with Cocoa section
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Indonesia: Meeting the Transport Challenge
Indonesia the Asian powerhouse- but what happens when a country lacks much of the infrastructure, required to realize its full potential?
What is the answer to improve transport connectivity and enhance equity?
Reinvent the wheel or the fundamentals?
Did you miss the broadcast premiere on Channel News Asia in December 2013?
Watch it on-line now from our Vimeo site:
Indonesia: Meeting the Transport Challenge
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
AMEA's Sustainable Business TV series
AMEA is developing a series of SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS TV SERIES of documentaries, our second in the series is themed “Indonesia: A New Era of
Sustainability and Economic Growth.”
This interactive and informative
documentary will give insight and holistic view of leading land-based
industries driving the country forward. It will outline the need for change in business as usual
to sustainable business solutions in
Land Based Industries in Forestry and
Palm Oil.
It will showcase leading corporations that are developing business driven solutions to some of
the greatest challenges of these industries including, poverty, climate change,
education, healthcare among others.
Land based industries are a significant
contributor to Indonesia's GDP and major contributor to regional and rural development.
We will explore the multiplier effects which these industries have on the country
and explore the challenges and solutions to critical issues.
Stay tuned as we are aiming for this June for the broadcast airdates!
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Indonesia: Mining for Civilization (sneak peak)
Have a look at a sneak peak preview of the exclusive upcoming documentary, Indonesia: Mining for Civilization
type in the password: ameaintel
for the sneak peak.
Filming and production on the mining communities begins the 31st of October and planned completion and program to be ready by mid November.
Contact the team at AMEA for more details! info@ameaintel.com
Thursday, 28 June 2012
RIO+20 Summit: Sustainable Development!
The first ever Rio Summit (held in 1992) was pregnant with symbolic meaning- 172 governments participated, with 108 sending their heads of state or government, and Some 2,400 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attended.
Today, it achieves a sense of direction towards something new, in largely unchartered waters. The notion of sustainable development will be recasted, broadened, redefined. In short, this phrase will probably be the driving force of the 21st century, molding the sphere in which politics and businesses operate. There's hope yet. Sustainable Development used to be a sleep-inducing phrase, largely (or solely) associated with that elusive concept of 'going green'. Not anymore- it's now charged, alive, well defined. It includes aiming for the eradication of poverty and social inclusion. What's so great about Rio+20? Well, for one, this idea of sustainable development has already made some changes in way benchmarks are determined- yes, even in the largely competitive world of business. Accountability of governments and businesses are emphasized, and systems implemented to ensure their participation in this new initiative. "Sustainability Reporting" will be taking its place in the business arena. The creation of ambitious aspirations echo the past- except now, there are hard deadlines. The Millennium Development Goals, designed to alleviate poverty, has already galvanized organisations around that task. Finally we see some drive!
Today, it achieves a sense of direction towards something new, in largely unchartered waters. The notion of sustainable development will be recasted, broadened, redefined. In short, this phrase will probably be the driving force of the 21st century, molding the sphere in which politics and businesses operate. There's hope yet. Sustainable Development used to be a sleep-inducing phrase, largely (or solely) associated with that elusive concept of 'going green'. Not anymore- it's now charged, alive, well defined. It includes aiming for the eradication of poverty and social inclusion. What's so great about Rio+20? Well, for one, this idea of sustainable development has already made some changes in way benchmarks are determined- yes, even in the largely competitive world of business. Accountability of governments and businesses are emphasized, and systems implemented to ensure their participation in this new initiative. "Sustainability Reporting" will be taking its place in the business arena. The creation of ambitious aspirations echo the past- except now, there are hard deadlines. The Millennium Development Goals, designed to alleviate poverty, has already galvanized organisations around that task. Finally we see some drive!
 |
| Representatives discuss |
 |
| Countries involved in Rio+20 |
This has implications for the mining industry as well- in fact, especially for the mining industry. Mining has received some serious bad press over the decades, owing to a slew of unfortunate events and the knowledge of the scarcity of resources. "Sustainable Development", therefore, can either be the phrase from hell or a blessing in disguise. Responsible and sustainable mining would be the first step. You now know why its important-we adapt to the 21st century, not resist it. Push aside all misgivings; its inconvenience pays off in the long run. Being part of a powerful initiative that changes the way your community sees you is more than important; it's necessary. In short, it can be a blessing in disguise- adapt to it, make it a priority. You'll be an integral part of the trend that reaches out to save the environment. That makes the Earth a better place for living.
More so than just that, we all have a moral obligation to contribute or at least replenish what we take away, to carry out our duties to the environment and the community around us. As stated in the Rio+20 common statement: We are consuming resources faster than the Earth can regenerate them, and producing more waste and pollution than the Earth can absorb. There is scientific consensus that Planet Earth is rapidly approaching its boundaries of a healthy and safe environment conducive to a life of dignity.
More than just being the world's biggest UN Conference in history, this meeting has important consequences for everyone, especially businesses around the globe. We need to change the way we see things, and to make a difference.
Here are some things to check out:
Interesting articles for your information:
And more about Indonesia taking the lead!
- Indonesia hosts a preparatory meeting towards the UN environmental summit
- Indonesia spearheads in global initiatives to address sustainable development issue
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