First Nigerian cocoa certification
16 May 2011 – UTZ Certified has awarded Nigerian cocoa farmers the country’s first UTZ cocoa certification. Saro Agro-Allied, a cocoa exporter from Nigeria, and leading global cocoa processor, ADM, worked in partnership to support almost 2,000 cocoa farmers achieving the certified status.
The certificate holder, Saro, with support from ADM, organised the farmers into 50 groups or ‘farming clubs’, to educate them about the UTZ Certified Code of Conduct. UTZ certification helps farmers produce a better quality of product at a higher volume and lower cost. This also enables them to negotiate a greater price for a better product and to improve their standard of living. As a further incentive, farmers who work with UTZ Certified in the global marketplace also receive a premium for their crop.
Scott Walker, managing director, ADM Cocoa International says, “This partnership with Saro is an example of ADM’s commitment to sustainable supply chain practices that build a brighter future for cocoa growers and their communities. We are pleased that ADM can now offer UTZ Certified cocoa products, and are also confident that over the coming years, more and more growers in Nigeria can enhance their farming practices, improve their livelihoods, and eventually achieve certification.”
Dr Tunde Faturoti, sustainability manager, Saro Agro Allied says, “We are very proud to have achieved this certification and to supply the first UTZ Certified cocoa produced in Nigeria. We hope that in the future we can help more growers in Nigeria to achieve this qualification.”
The popularity of sustainably sourced produce has led to UTZ Certified continuously expanding its producer network in key cocoa regions with the help of its partners. Organisations including ADM have established sustainable programmes that support the production of sustainable cocoa in countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia.
Daan de Vries, head of Cocoa at UTZ Certified comments, “We congratulate ADM and Saro on getting the first UTZ cocoa certificate in Nigeria. It was inspiring to see how the Saro team has connected with small and remote farmer communities and has helped them with training and access to certified markets. It’s an innovative approach that holds promise for independent cocoa farmers around the world, so we hope that many will follow this example.”
