The cocoa sector is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability, driven by growing consumer demand and European legislation. With stricter requirements in place and sustainability becoming the norm, cocoa producers must adapt and implement environmentally friendly practices to protect the environment and human rights. Furthermore, they need to ensure that smallholder farmers earn fair incomes, helping address poverty.
Social responsibility is a crucial component in addressing the longstanding challenges facing the cocoa industry, and every company must take immediate action. This isn’t just ethical, but it’s also a necessity for the business to remain relevant. In this blog, we explore some of the steps cocoa companies can take to become socially responsible and contribute to the community, so read on!
Get the necessary certification
Certification is essential when it comes to complying with social responsibility standards, but it also provides a direction for becoming sustainable. To obtain a certification, there are several steps to follow. First and foremost, you need to begin by researching the various certification schemes available, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Organic, and understanding all their standards, benefits, and requirements. It is also essential to consider your sustainability goals and determine which type of certification scheme best aligns with them. For instance, if you’re aiming to promote social justice and fair trade, it makes sense to get Fairtrade certification.
Before you consider getting certified, however, an important step is to consider the type of buyers and market your company is targeting, as demand varies significantly by country and buyer. You can learn about the demand by engaging with the staff of the certification program where you are based, or by checking with current and potential buyers. Last but not least, be sure to consider the reputation of the certification program and assess its costs and benefits.
Focus on long-term sustainable success
One of the primary reasons for many of the sustainability issues in the cocoa sector is poverty among farmers. Children are forced to work on farms because of this poverty, and as long as they struggle to survive, farmers won’t be able to make greener choices. The solution to overcoming poverty is building a successful and sustainable business. To achieve this, consider exploring other income opportunities beyond cocoa production, such as participating in a landscape project, diversifying, or selling by-products of the cocoa fruit.
Another step to take is to find buyers who fit well with your enterprise, as they will only buy traceable cocoa and are willing to pay a fair price, which in turn will give you the chance to pay farmers a fair price. It is essential to ensure that you can meet the buyers’ requirements, and to do so, you can contact them directly. However, before doing this, make sure to take the time to consider your unique selling points. Think about what makes your cocoa special; maybe you’re a cocoa manufacturer that strives to make a positive change in the industry, or you offer unique flavors that differentiate you from competitors. When contacting buyers, try to find out what options are available for selling your products, and provide them with a clear argument about why your cocoa can make a difference in their business.
Boost traceability
Improving traceability is another essential step in becoming socially responsible, as it will allow you to implement and monitor measures more effectively. There are several approaches you can take, and one effective method is to implement a traceability system that tracks cocoa beans throughout the entire supply chain. Furthermore, it’s essential to establish a clear sourcing policy, which outlines your commitment to social responsibility and green practices. This should include clear standards for responsible sourcing and traceability, as well as guidelines for monitoring and reporting on compliance.
Conducting regular audits and assessments is also essential, as it helps ensure that your suppliers and employees adhere to the policies in place. This can include third-party audits, on-site inspections, and document reviews.
Leverage the power of storytelling to convince stakeholders
Storytelling is an excellent technique which you can employ to communicate about your product and capture the interest of your audience. But it’s essential to tell stories that are authentic and accurate. In other words, rather than contributing to direct sales, it’s about building your reputation by showcasing your values through a story. Storytelling builds connection and helps stakeholders relate to you, as long as you tell personal stories.
There are several ways to utilize storytelling. For example, you can educate customers about the importance of sustainable cocoa farming and create stories to highlight its benefits, such as improved working conditions for farmers. You can also use storytelling to attract buyers. They can use stories to sell the product to their consumers, thus engaging them in the sustainability journey. This, in turn, will enhance their willingness to buy cocoa wholesale from you.
Reduce child labor
In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, 1.5 million children are forced to work on farms because many farmers lack money or sufficient labor during the harvest season. During these moments in particular, they put their children to work in hazardous conditions, with their rights being violated repeatedly. Many children who engage in cocoa production don’t have the opportunity to attend school, thereby reducing their chances to acquire the necessary skills they will need for future development, particularly girls.
It’s essential to address this by listening to farmers’ issues first, such as the labor and income challenges they face regularly. At the same time, raising awareness among both parents and children can be beneficial. This can include highlighting the hazards of farming and providing information on children’s rights, such as the right to education, access to nutritious food, and protection from hazardous conditions.
The bottom line
Buyers and end consumers are increasingly looking for companies that contribute to society. They want to know that they are implementing sustainability measures and taking responsibility for social issues. In other words, social responsibility is a must these days, especially with the regulations becoming stricter, and if you want to stay in business, it’s imperative to take action. At the same time, if you become more socially responsible, more companies will likely buy your products, and you will enjoy higher profits and increased efficiency within your company. So, will you take responsibility for social issues and unlock new opportunities for your business?
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