Traceability or Trail of Ambiguities: Big Chocolatiers in Our Cocoa Farms.
A detailed analysis of Cargill's 2021 Cocoa and chocolate sustainability report with its Commitments to Cocoa Farmers
Nestled in the vegetation of Ghana's fertile lands, where cocoa pods hang like precious jewels waiting to be plucked, there is a sense of disquiet in the air that is as profound as the damp-earth beneath the cacao trees. As a smallholder cocoa farmer’s son, recently there's been a buzz that's reached even the remotest corners of my village—talk of "traceability" in the cocoa sector. But in a place where every face is familiar and every bean's journey starts in the tough-skinned hands of a neighbour, what does this new term really mean?
Our beans have always made their way from my modest farm to the "Kokoo Krakye," the local buyer in our village in Ghana who is mostly known in every household around. He's the link in a chain that stretches far beyond my village, far beyond what our eyes can see. Now, they say there's a need for a new kind of traceability—one that's formalised and digitised. Yet, in the backdrop of this newfound call, I find myself grappling with questions that seem to have no clear answers.
What is this traceability that's stirring up the cocoa community? How does it change what we have always done? Does it benefit me, or is it another hoop to jump through for the faceless many who call for it? Per our experience the Ghana Cocoa Board already has a traceability system in place, so why this sudden push for something more? The Kokoo Krakye who buys from us is no stranger; he is as much a part of this land as the cocoa itself. So, what's unclear about the line from my hands to his/her and from him to the LBC (license Buying company they buy onbehalf) and from the LBC to Ghana Cocoa Board Warehouse? I thought this was an easier way to trace or are we missing something? Exactly what is the purpose of this new paradigm of traceability beyond it being a buzzword and how does it improve my livelihood which keeps getting worse and worse?
In this piece, I will take you through a narrative that's laced with concern and a thirst for truth. We are set to unpick the ambiguities that cloud the concept of traceability within the cocoa sector. We will steer a path through unanswered questions and examine the gap between what we have been promised and what is truly delivered. We will use Cargill’s 2021 sustainability report as a case study to see if it provides some real life answers to clarify my unsolved puzzle.
The Subtle Definition and Promises of Traceability
Traceability, in the utopian view of the cocoa industry's glossy brochures, is the modern-day shepherd that claims to diligently tracks every cocoa bean from the soil to the shelf. It's the digital ledger, the barcode, the QR code—it's the promise of transparency in an opaque value chain. But what happens when these systems meet the traditional paths our beans tread? Suddenly, the straightforward line from our farm to the Kokoo Krakye seems entangled in some kind of complexities.
The crucial question that hangs heavy like the tropical rainclouds is: for whom does the bell of traceability ring? Is it for us, the farmers, ensuring that our toils are justly rewarded and our crops fairly valued? Or is it for the consumers, granting them the peace of mind that the chocolate they savour is not marred by unethical practices? Perhaps, it is for the governments and corporations to parade their commitment to sustainability? The answers are as muddled as the tracks left by a thousand feet on the village paths after a downpour.
This conversation isn't merely academic—it's a matter of livelihood. While companies tout their traceability initiatives in vibrant PDFs accessible with just a click, the practical gaps are wide enough.
What use is a traceable line if it doesn't lead to tangible improvements in the lives of the farmers? How relevant are data points and charts if they don't equate to higher premiums for the sweat shed on the farms?
A case study of Cargill’s 2021 Sustainability Report (The latest as at the time this piece is being written)
Across the globe, leading chocolate companies, like Cargill’s Cocoa Promise, Mondelez's Cocoa Life and Mars' Cocoa for Generations, have unfurled their banners heralding the advent of comprehensive traceability programs. They speak of precision—a cocoa bean's journey meticulously mapped from the farm to the factory. Yet, amidst the high-tech fanfare, the daily grind for the smallholder farmer remains much the same. The digital divide is vast; where technology promises connection, it often builds invisible walls.
The Kokoo Krakye's knowledge of his network, based on personal relationships and trust built over many harvests, stands in stark contrast to the digital traceability systems. For him and the farmers, the talk of traceability rings hollow when it doesn't align with their operational realities. How does a farmer without internet access benefit from an online database? How does an SMS update ensure a fair price for their cocoa beans?
In our quest to dissect the realities of traceability and sustainability in the cocoa industry, we turn our focus to Cargill, a giant in the global food sector. Cargill's Cocoa & Chocolate Sustainability Report 2021 serves as a prime example to examine through the lens of our theoretical critique in relations to any economic returns the smallholder farmer visibly and explicitly gain that is verifiable. Let's break down this report in layman's terms, assessing how its initiatives, while noteworthy on paper, serve to benefit Cargill and its host economies potentially more than the smallholder farmers it aims to support. Below is a page by page assessment of the key information within the report.
In Cargill's 2021 Sustainability Progress Report, there's an informative section titled "Connected for More: Our approach towards a thriving cocoa sector," where their vision and commitment to the cocoa sector are laid out in a visually engaging chart. At first glance, the focus on "Farmer Livelihoods," "Community Wellbeing," and "Protect our Planet" suggests a balanced emphasis on both business and social responsibilities. However, a closer, more critical look at the foundational structure of their approach reveals a different narrative.
Beneath the surface of altruistic goals lies a starkly business-centric core. The three bottom-line objectives—"Consumer Confidence," "Transformation, together," and "Responsible Business"—tell a story of self-interest dressed in the cloak of sustainability. While there is mention of enhancing farmers' economic resilience and improving safety and wellbeing in cocoa farming areas, these aims are positioned as stepping stones toward achieving larger business goals. The ultimate target, such as 100% farm to factory traceability and sourcing 100% chocolate ingredients in line with their supplier code of conduct, is designed to boost consumer confidence and ensure a sustainable supply of cocoa that meets their stringent business requirements.
This framework, while adeptly crafted, implicitly suggest that the wellbeing of cocoa farmers is not an end in itself ( as you may have perceived) but rather a means to an end (ie. enhanced Cargill's brand image, publication relations and ensure steady market growth). The economic sustainability
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