International Cocoa Initiative extends its ranks with Ecookim co-op joining its mission
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Key Ivory coast farming cooperative, Ecookim Coop has been confirmed as having become the latest member of the International Cocoa Initiative, ICI, reports Neill Barston.
As the group noted, it has evolved rapidly over recent years, and now represents a total of over 37,000 farmers, working towards gaining a better deal for agricultural workers operating within confectionery supply chains.
The ICI has been at the forefront of proposing legislative frameworks for proposed EU due diligence within European cocoa supply chains, as part of the Cocoa Coalition group of industry businesses and organisations.
Since its creation, Ecookim Coop CA has been a cooperative union known for promoting sustainable development and the professionalisation of its members and affiliated farmers. Its vision is to offer the farmers working in its cooperatives, as well as their families and communities, better living conditions and community socio-economic actions, thanks to a quality production likely to favour access to the best market.
As the ICI noted, it has continued to take a major lead in the fight against child labour and forced labour in the cocoa-producing areas of Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecookim coop’s vision is in line with that of ICI. This is why, according to Mr. Bamba Mamadou Adama, Managing Director of Ecookim Coop CA, “this union wished to work with ICI and other actors in the cocoa value chain to create a sustainable source of supply that respects human rights and the environment, while guaranteeing decent incomes for its members.”
“ECookim is an important union of cooperatives whose membership will allow us to reach a larger number of farmers in our work for child protection in cocoa communities. We are happy to welcome them as a member and to work with them to improve the living conditions of farmers and their families. I am also particularly pleased to have a cooperative union as a member of ICI”, said Matthias Lange, Executive Director of ICI.