Many of the estimated five million smallholder farmers from whom we buy both directly and via intermediaries, live and work in isolation from online connectivity and digital tools. So they can’t benefit from those innovations and we can’t support them effectively or report accurately on their progress.
The Olam Farmer Information System (OFIS), is an app which allows our field staff to collect data, map GPS points of farms and social infrastructure, manage training activities and track all ‘first mile’ transactions, including financing, input distribution and crop purchases. This information is accessible through a desktop portal and allows us to create detailed models, to advise farmers and other participants in the supply chain on how to maximise their efforts. It also helps us to identify where there are risks and opportunities, and where we should focus resources such as training or investment in infrastructure.
It allows us to report more accurately on sustainability activities, social justice and other positive business indicators. It’s a key input tool for AtSource, Olam's sustainability insights platform for agricultural supply chains. So far, over 550k farmers in over 30 countries have been registered in the system, and we continue to rollout OFIS.
Child labour monitoring and remediation is set to be rolled out across Cameroon in the first programme of its kind by a cocoa company.
We recognise the importance of collaboration to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and make true impact across our sector. If you are keen to collaborate or have an idea to discuss, please contact our team.