Annual progress reporting
Measuring the progress of partners
In the past months, SIFAV partners have been working on the 2015 annual progress reporting. By now, partners have completed and submitted their data collection sheets, and PwC has visited most of them for the data validation process on site. The results are expected to be published in August.
Last year, SIFAV partners largely surpassed the target of 50% sustainably sourced fruits and vegetables from Central and South America, Africa and Asia, reaching the level of 66%. This year’s target is to proceed towards the ultimate goal of the initiative: 100% percent in 2020. It will be exciting to see how the partners performed.
Questions about the process can be addressed to Rob Wijsman from PwC.
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Call for proposals
An update on the process
In April a new call for proposals for producer support projects was launched by SIFAV. It was the first time that the call for proposal was simultaneously held for SIFAV and the other programs which today constitute IDH’s Fresh and Ingredients program (F&I).
Started 1st January 2016, the newly formed F&I program combines a number of agro-commodities, and provides cross-sector solutions on critical issues to accelerate sustainable sourcing.
Therefore, the call for proposal was open for organizations that participate not only in SIFAV but also in one of the other programs: Flowers and Plants (FSI), Nuts (SNI), SIFAV Processed, Spices (SSI) and Vanilla (SVI).
In May, the Investors Committee assessed the submitted concept notes and successful applicants were invited to submit full project proposals by the end of June. These will be assessed by the Investors Committee and it is expected that the successful proposals will be contracted by the end of the summer.
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Sustainable Grapes Initiative – India launch
The Sustainable Grapes Initiative – India was launched in Mumbai in April together with partners and industry leaders.
SGI-I came to shape after a request from SIFAV partners in Europe to source sustainable grapes from India. It aims to increase the sustainability of grape production by decreasing risk and increasing quality through sustainable production practices in farming and production.
During the first year, SGI-I will focus on grower and labour capacity building training. More information can be found here.
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The Ecuadorian government adopts the manual on Occupational Health and Safety developed by the partners of the SIFAV BOHESI project
The SIFAV project Banana Occupational Health and Safety Initiative (BOHESI) achieved an exceptional result in 2015. Led by Solidaridad as project coordinator and supported by Bananalink and the World Banana Forum (multistakeholder platform hosted by FAO) as government and international agencies coordinator, the project aims to improve the working and living conditions of banana workers and farmers in Ecuador and Cameroon.
Last year the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture (MAGAP) and Ministry of Labour decided to adopt the Manual on Occupational Health and Safety developed by the project partners and to use it to train smallholders and smallholder associations in the future supported by an active participation of many retailers, banana companies and civil society organizations.
The project has already begun to have an impact in Cameroon where major companies and trade unions operating in the banana sector have held regularly discussions on the health and safety issues and the implementation of the ILO Convention 184 (C184) on Health and Safety in Agriculture. These stakeholders have recently managed to engage the Cameroon government and they plan to hold their first tripartite meeting on the ratification and implementation of C184 in the coming weeks. Similar activities have been also facilitated in Ecuador in coordination with the ILO.
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SIFAV passion fruit project brings hope in Tanzania
On the 22nd September 2015, the Uhuru Torch was lit in Moshi district and visited passion fruits projects, supported by a project in the SIFAV program.
Different supply chain actors try to develop exportation opportunities for sustainable production of passion fruit. Senior government officials from regional and district level accompanied the torch on a visit to the Passion Fruit Project on the lower slopes of the Kilimanjaro.
One of the visited plots was that of Polycarp Mushi, a farmer who is an active member of KIBO Horticulture Farmers Association. Polycarp briefed the guests of honour on the set up of the project and how VECO East Africa has contributed to it by facilitating the mobilization of farmer groups, by providing trainings, and by the establishment of nurseries and farmers field schools, where farmers receive hands-on experience in preparing the land, controlling pests and diseases, managing the soil and harvesting.
“It is only since the start of our collaboration with VECO East Africa, that we have started with growing passion fruit. So it is a completely new crop to us. At first we were a bit apprehensive, but now we see the results and are looking forward to a bright future. Passion fruit is a highly valued crop that provides us with a new alternative to traditional fruits and vegetables and other cash crops”, says Polycarp.
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The Uhuru (Freedom) Torch is one of Tanzania’s national icons. The Torch wants to "bring hope where there is despair, love in the midst of hatred and respect where there is none."
Each year, the torch is moved across different regions in Tanzania to celebrate exceptional achievements and inspire further development.
The passing of the torch is a symbol of acknowledgement specifically for those projects with great potential for changing people’s lives.
For more information on the national torch award to VECO, please see this article.
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SIFAV is growing
SIFAV is growing and becoming an international Pan European initiative, having members in seven European countries. The following companies joined SIFAV in the last few months:
The current number of SIFAV members is 41. |
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SIFAV Processed: partners, governance and monitoring tool
In the first half of 2016 SIFAV Processed flexed its muscles: new partners joined the initiative, the governance structure was finalized and the discussion over the monitoring tool initiated.
By now, SIFAV Processed counts eight international partners. Several other private companies have confirmed their interest to sign the covenant.
On May 23rd, the second General Assembly took place in Utrecht at the IDH office. The General Assembly defined the governance structure of the program. Discussions on annual progress monitoring protocol and the tool are ongoing. Once developed, the monitoring tool will be used to monitor partners progress, towards the goal of 100% sustainable imported products in 2025.
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In the spotlight
Ben Horsbrugh has become our new deputy chairman: let’s discover who Ben is, and what motivates him.
You were elected this year as deputy chairman, could you quickly tell us something about yourself?
“I'm head of Quality Management at UNIVEG Deutschland and responsible for coordinating quality management within the fresh produce business of Greenyard Foods. Greenyard Foods (Euronext Brussels: GRYFO) is a global market leader in the supply of fresh and prepared fruit & vegetables, flowers, plants and growing media. Before joining UNIVEG, I worked for 15 years in the European organic sector and also spent a couple of years in the environmental NGO sector in the UK."
Why did UNIVEG decide to join SIFAV?
“We started working with SIFAV in 2014 on a project to improve the sustainability of the banana supply chain. UNIVEG has always had a strong commitment to sustainability and as a leading player in the fresh produce business it was a logical decision to sign up to the IDH covenant. Sustainability is a complex issue and the collaborative approach of the IDH represents gives participating companies an exciting opportunity to address the challenges we face and realize significant results.”
What did motivate you to apply as deputy chairman, and what are the goals you have set for this year?
“The decision to apply for the position of deputy chairman was driven by both corporate and personal reasons. At a corporate level we were highly motivated to play a more active role within SIFAV and to make a positive contribution with our experience on improving the sustainability of fresh produce supply chains."
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 "On a personal level, I wanted to contribute to the further development of the SIFAV initiative and in particular to the definition of what makes supply chains really sustainable.
The challenges we face are huge and the steering committee is the ideal forum to brainstorm with other representatives of the sector on how SIFAV can make a lasting contribution to improving sustainability of the fresh produce sector.”
What are, according to you, the next steps for the SIFAV program?
“SIFAV is still a relatively young program. We should focus on engaging stakeholders in the fresh produce sector in order to increase the awareness about our activities and attract more organizations to get involved. I also think that we need to incorporate a wider range of views and ideas from civil society organizations within the program. Claims on sustainability must stand up to critical scrutiny in the public sphere, and input from stakeholders with the relevant expertise can really benefit the development and the reputation of the SIFAV program.”
What are your expectations for SIFAV, and how do you envision the Fruit & Vegetables sector to look like in the coming years?
“SIFAV is funded by about tax-payers’ money and we have a responsibility to use these funds wisely. Sustainability is not just a buzz word; in a world of limited resources, changing climatic conditions and increasing population, sustainable policies must be at the heart of any forward-thinking organisation. While SIFAV targets and commitments must be achievable for all SIFAV members, my expectations are that the program will help member organisations to go beyond compliance and make a positive contribution to a more sustainable fresh produce business.”
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Next General Assembly meeting: November 2016
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