ofi reports progress on its Lascarcoco Indonesian sustainable cocoa initiative
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Global ingredients solutions business, ofi, has revealed milestone achievements for its Landscape Approach to Sustainable and Climate Change Resilient Cocoa and Coffee Agroforestry partnership (Lascarcoco), writes Neill Barston.
As the business explained, the venture is a $8.2 million public-private partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PT. Olam Indonesia (ofi Indonesia), Hershey and Rikolto.
Its core aims is to promote sustainable cocoa and coffee agroforestry practices in Indonesia, and through its technical assistance delivered in Year 1, 8,634 individuals received livelihood co-benefits, which resulted in improved management of 1,245 hectares of agroforestry farms (1,170 hectares of cocoa and 75 hectares of coffee farms).
Among core highlights for the initiative are interventions have improved the capacity of 1,800 cocoa farmers and 745 coffee farmers on climate-smart agroforestry farming and land use management. The partnership has also empowered cocoa farmers in Karo, Simalungun and North Luwu Districts in rehabilitating 78.8 hectares of farms by partially replanting high-quality cocoa seedlings to enhance productivity.
Imam Suharto, Chief of Party, Lascarcoco and Head of Cocoa Sustainability, Indonesia, ofi. “The Lascarcoco partnership is a great example of how a landscape approach and climate change mitigation tools can support farmers to adapt and become more resilient to a changing climate while creating a healthier ecosystem.”
Notably, as the company explained, the project has also led the development of two nurseries in the North Luwu District of the South Sulawesi Province. This has helped to boost the participation of female agricultural workers in seeding and planting activities. Engaging them in key nursery operations has also assisted in diversifying their sources of income.
Future work
As ofi noted, globally, Indonesia continues to be a key player in cocoa and coffee production. ofi and partners through Lascarcoco continue to support the local farming community to adapt and mitigate against climate-induced challenges like fluctuating weather patterns and pest outbreaks that threaten to affect the country’s crop yields and overall output. The partnership works to improve the capacity of farmers with more sustainable agricultural practices so that they can improve production and achieve a more sustained livelihood.
According to the company, the results of the past year will pave the way for intensified impact in improving the income of smallholder farmers and the advancement of ecosystem services in reducing carbon emissions.
Building on strong awareness and engagement, the second year has started off strongly with field work and on-ground activities in cooperation with key stakeholders and the Indonesian Government. For example, to commemorate Earth Day 2024, 1,800 trees – including coffee, jengkol, durian, jackfruit, avocado, cempedak and mahogany, and more – were planted across farms in the North Luwu District.
“The United States supports Indonesia’s efforts to balance rural economic growth with conservation of the natural resources that support growth,” said Jeff Cohen, USAID Indonesia Mission Director. “USAID is proud to partner with ofi and Hershey’s to help coffee and cocoa farmers meet international standards by managing their farms more sustainably, which will make their farms more productive and improve their livelihoods.”
Significantly, as ofi noted, the Lascarcoco venture is part of its wider Cocoa Compass programme, which outlines ofi’s product-specific cocoa sustainability ambition and supports its company-wide sustainability strategy – Choices for Change.
ofi’s Cocoa Compass impact report, outlines its global progress and key technological advancements that are integral to delivering targets under Choices for Change – from AI-enabled granular tree monitoring to carbon measurement tools. These provide food & beverage companies with enhanced traceability and transparency of cocoa supply chains to help drive greater sustainability impact and complement specific solutions that ofi is implementing to prepare for the incoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
