Sir Bob Geldof addressed the audience of the first CHOCOVISION conference sharing his views on a sustainable development in the world, with a particular focus on Africa, and the urge for the cocoa industry to commit to a sustainable future for all. And the time for action is now.
Mr. Geldof urges the industry as a whole to take its responsibility and to advance in the direction of long-term growth for everyone involved in the supply chain, rather than short-term shareholder value. The actual economical model proves to have failed as shown by the deep crisis we are in. There is an urgent need to invent a new model where poor people are given a voice, a fight Mr. Geldof has taken on for almost 30 years. Yet, “when you can only live to survive, the creative mind doesn’t switch on, there is no time, no space for it”, says Geldof. Hence, the industry needs to support the creation of a sustainable future for these farmers.
Mr. Geldof also highlighted the risks faced by the industry: the narrow band around the equator where chocolate is bound to be finite:
“By 2050, if climate change continues the way it currently does, half the land for cocoa cultivation will disappear.”
As pointed out by Mr. Geldof, one of the ways to get out of this circle is to get more engaged with farmers, give them the power to be part of price negotiations, invest in capacity building programs at farm level and in local infrastructures to foster the development of these communities. The solution to the challenge can be overcome by collaboration: collaboration with NGOs, with farmers, with all the partners in the supply chain.
Mr. Geldof is convinced that the cocoa industry has the possibility and the power to improve the situation. However, it is now time to act for a sustainable growth in all parts of the chain.
Full article: http://www.chocovision.ch/blog/?p=206
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