Pamela Schreier (Senior Global Sustainability Manager – Cocoa), Benjamin Rimaud (Sustainability Global Manager – Coffee), Ana Nicod (Head of Climate Change Strategy) at ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd
Agri entrepreneurship is a concept marked by the efforts of farmers and agricultural industries to improve the means of production through innovation and behavioral change. It was seen in the mid-20th century in the Green Revolution, with the introduction of chemical fertilizers and improved irrigation methods, enabling countries to meet the demands of their rising populations. The most recent efforts in agri entrepreneurship are focused on sustainably increasing production through efficient methods that limit social and environmental impact.
As smallholders comprise 90% of the world’s farmers, it is essential to provide them with the necessary tools to support their well-being while growing sustainable commodities. Innovation at farm level is key to meeting the demands of a growing population while managing the complications of an ever-changing climate and ensuring human rights are respected. Optimizing yields via sustainable intensification is one of the important routes toward higher farmer incomes and sustainable production. In West Africa, we have established MICROMEC solutions to deliver efficient equipment for smallholder producers, modernizing farming, enhancing productivity, minimizing post-harvest losses, and increasing farmer incomes. Agri entrepreneurship is also about empowering farmers to see their activities as a sustainable business, and manage these plots of land with the tools available for businesses to thrive. In Vietnam, we implemented the Coffee Climate Protection Insurance pilot scheme to enhance farmers’ understanding and awareness of insurance as a risk management tool, allowing businesses to develop innovative and more affordable solutions. A partnership of stakeholders developed insurance products for excess rainfall and drought, tailored for Vietnam’s Robusta coffee producers.
Whilst technological and digital advancements are key to achieving sustainability across value chains, it is equally important to address persisting social issues in agriculture. Gender inequality contributes to lower productivity levels, food insecurity, and poverty. We worked with Equal Origins and other coffee and cocoa industry members to develop the Gender Equity Index (GEI). The tool assesses our performance in gender as agriculture extension service providers to identify precise areas for improvement in gender inclusion, allowing for the creation of opportunities for women and our entire supply chains to prosper.
There is an increased demand for sustainable products, and the ability of businesses to react to these changes is precisely what sustainability is about. Innovation at the farm level is the first step, and enables the introduction of new technologies, the creation of mechanisms to de-risk farming activities, and positive social change. These are just some examples of how supply chain management can stimulate agri entrepreneurship at the farm level to meet the demands of consumers and create sustainable supply chains.