Fairtrade reveals Papua New Guinea geolocation data training for EUDR compliance

Fairtrade producer network NAPP, covering the Asia and Pacific region supporting cocoa farmers, is enabling Papua New Guinea communities to engage for the first time  with geolocation data linked to EUDR frameworks, writes Neill Barston.

According to the global social enterprise, the move is designed to enhance traceability, and the ensure that farmers and cooperative groups in value chains align with guidelines being laid down for major frameworks surrounding the European Union’s landmark legislation that is due to belatedly come into force in December 2025.

The Fairtrade initiative, which also covers coffee producers, seeks to ensure that the EU’s deforestation legislation, which is closely linked to several major corporate due diligence frameworks targeting traceability for European companies’ complete supply chains .

As the organisation noted, there has been an  increasing demand from EU buyers for deforestation-free and ethically sourced commodities, so geolocation data defines the exact location where certain products are grown, with the latest system delivering precision to individual farm location, and onwards to specific buyers.

This can then be fully tracked, enabling farmers to collect their own data – which has not previously been possible, and may not be otherwise publicly be made available, to provide complete supply chain transparency for those at the sharp end of farming operations, as well as consumers.

Moreover, as Fairtrade noted, geolocation data for farms is a central part of the EUDR, which cooperatives need to provide to their European buyers if they want their product to be able to enter the EU.

So supporting producers to collect their own geolocation data means they can maintain access to a key market, while also boosting the global market appeal of Fairtrade producers.

Through the project in Papua New Guinea, farmers are trained to: Conduct geospatial analysis using mobile phones and specific software to record farm boundaries and establish geofencing strategies, as well align with EUDR requirements using correct data formats, and use customised dashboards and data visualisation for real-time insights and monitoring.

Farmer engagement 
As the social justice movement added, its approach is to support farmers to understand the regulation, how to use the technology, and how to manage and analyse their own data, rather than simply collect the data through other means.

Fairtrade stated: “We do this because this is important information for cooperatives in monitoring their member farms, and in their business relationships. That’s why Fairtrade has invested significantly in the past year to build producers’ capacity to collect high quality data, and conduct their own deforestation risk analyses. With this information, they can invest in forest protection initiatives based on their members’ realities, and they are in an empowered position to share their data with their trade partners.

“In Papua New Guinea, a total of 25 farmers from two Fairtrade certified coffee and cocoa cooperatives — Club 3000 Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd (cocoa farmers) and Highland Organic Agriculture Cooperative (coffee farmers) – participated in intensive, hands-on training on geolocation data collection methods supported by Giegere Greg Hedziga, Fairtrade NAPP Programme Consultant in Papua New Guinea,” explained Fairtrade, noting that these individuals are tasked with mapping each farm plot — a process expected to span three months. During this phase, ongoing monitoring and validation will ensure the accuracy and consistency of data collected.

Monthly progress checks and technical support from the NAPP team will further strengthen the reliability of the data and ensure it meets international verification standards.

Farmers see a pathway to remain “competitive” in the global marketplace
The initiative has already begun to inspire and energise local farmers.

“I am so pleased to see that the geolocation project is being carried out in our plots,” said Sed Arey, farmer member of Club 3000 Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd. “This gives me the confidence to meet market demands and stay competitive in the cocoa sector here in Papua New Guinea.”

As Fairtrade confirmed, the next step in its processes is in sending geolocation data to Satelligence for validation, where a subsequent report is generated that is compliant with the EUDR systems. This is done through the organisation’s FairInsight, platform for producers to manage and share information and build strong trade relationships.

Through the partnership with Satelligence, Fairtrade is making best-in-class satellite imaging and analysis available to cooperatives at no cost to them.