LONDON, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
US$118.6m microfinance at 0% helps over 300,000 smallholder farmers gain US$13.9m premium
Olam Livelihood Charter Key Highlights for 2013[1]
Olam, a leading global, integrated supply chain manager and processor of agricultural products and food ingredients, today announced third year results for the Olam Livelihood Charter. A practical and measurable framework that focuses on creating economic prosperity, improving social welfare and safeguarding the environment, the Charter aims to generate mutual value for smallholders, customers, NGOs and ultimately, shareholders.
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The smallholder farmers growing many of the products that Olam purchases, are in emerging markets, often working on less than 3 hectares of land with limited access to fertiliser, seedlings, education, farmer training or credit for investment.
"Only by unlocking value for farmers and creating thriving agricultural communities can we ensure the long-term security and quality of crop supply," said Sunny Verghese, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olam. "Enabling farmers to become serious commercial partners is integral to our business model, as it allows us to build sustainable supply chains delivering the large volumes of high quality, traceable products that our customers require. In turn this provides us with a competitive edge and benefits our overall business performance."
The OLC is based on eight principles to achieve holistic long-term improvement: finance, improving yields, market access, quality produce, social investment, labour practices, environmental impact and traceability. They are aligned with the United Nation's Millennium Development goals to maximise impact and drive inclusivity. To qualify for OLC status, initiatives have to meet all eight principles. From the many corporate sustainability initiatives that Olam conducts across its operations, 20 programmes achieved the flagship OLC status in 2013.
Key 2013 highlights include:
Commercialising smallholder production: US$118.6 million microfinance offered to farmers at 0% interest
Helping farmers to become commercial partners in the global supply chain by improving quality and yield through investment, drives profitable growth for farmers and Olam:
Integrating technology innovation into agriculture: 73% of OLC farmers have mobile phones
Provision of mobile technology helps overcome poor infrastructure by connecting farmers to global markets, as well as enabling farmers to share crop information, access pricing data and receive payments:
Improved social benefits: US$1.6m invested in community development during 2013 to continue programmes initiated in last three years
By collaborating with expert partners, Olam increases access to health programmes, as well as education, and skills development, including business skills. Such support enables the long-term development of self-sustaining enterprises.
Results achieved between 2010 and 2013:
Pioneering 'next practice' environmental impact
Olam manages its overall environmental footprint by reinforcing sustainable agricultural practices such as water management and working with farmers to maximise production on existing land. In Côte d'Ivoire, for example, Olam promoted sustainable production of cashew through certification: 3,183 farmers obtained certification for 17,014 hectares and 7,780 tonnes of organic raw cashew nuts.
Collaboration for lasting change
637 Olam staff work directly with farming communities to ensure the effective transfer and implementation of OLC-led initiatives amounting to an investment of US$7.7m.
Many programmes are in close partnership with the public, private and NGO sectors which is essential when delivering a multitude of programmes at any one time, as well as in helping to create lasting social and economic change. Partners include Blommer Chocolate, CAFÉ, Control Union, COSTCO, Nestlé, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BMZ, USAID, Douwe Egberts Foundation, GIZ, Greater Capital, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Fairtrade, Soil Association, Better Cotton Initiative, ACDI/VOCA, Winrock, Solidaridad, TechnoServe, IDH, 4C and Bureau Veritas.
Chris Brett, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability concluded: "Rigorous data collection shows that in just three years, sustainable business practices under the OLC principles are facilitating smallholder growth and benefiting communities. Customers and other stakeholders are increasingly recognising the OLC as the defining framework for sustainable smallholder supply chains. We will ensure momentum is maintained and that initiatives are up-scaled and replicated through innovation and collaboration to set new standards and create further value for all."
A further breakdown of the 2013 OLC results across Olam's different business units is available here.
The OLC recently won the Guardian Sustainable Business Award for its positive impact on Society. In 2012 it was also recognised at the Africa Investor Awards where Olam received the Leadership in Sustainable Investment in Africa Award.
Notes to editors
[1] 2013 results are based on April 2012 to March 2013 (i.e. not the financial year)
[2] Not all projects are at a stage where robust yield comparisons can be made against external factors
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