Press Release

Société d’Exploitation Cotonnière Olam (SECO) recognised by eminent judging panel for global development impact

Leading global agri-business, Olam International, was highly commended in the Unilever Global Development Award category at the 2016 Annual Responsible Business Gala in London last night. The award is also supported by global community Business Fights Poverty.

The event at the O2 arena was the culmination of the 2016 Responsible Business Awards, run by The Prince of Wales’s charity Business in the Community to celebrate the innovative ways that businesses in the UK and abroad are making a sustained difference and transforming communities. Almost 300 companies entered the awards, with 52 finalists, 16 winners and 3 highly commended on the night.

Olam’s inclusive cotton business model in Côte d’Ivoire, SECO, was set up to tackle low productivity and social vulnerability among local farmers, poor infrastructure and access to markets and finance.  In 6 years, SECO increased its smallholder network from 3,000 to 19,569 farmers. By the 2013/14 season, yields had nearly doubled to 1,126kg/ha from 626kg/ha in the first season.

A judging panel including 5 industry leaders¹ commended Olam for the holistic nature of the programme embedded into the business’s overall approach and strategy, tackling wider societal issues such as food security, forest management and gender empowerment. The panel reported that SECO’s programme has “the potential to impact an entire industry and admirably demonstrated an effective and sustainable business model.”

Commenting, Chris Brett, Global Head Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability of Olam said: “It really does make business sense to help farmers improve their yields, incomes and wider social environment. The untiring work of the SECO team, along with our partners Cotton Made in Africa, Compaci and GIZ, have also contributed to the development of our other smallholder initiatives under the Olam Livelihood Charter². Our congratulations, however, must go to the overall winner of the category – Manila Water Company. Access to clean, safe, affordable water is essential for all communities and we wish them the best in their future work.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:

“The Responsible Business Awards provide the proof that from the largest global multinational to the smallest local firm, business is a powerful force for good in society. This year we have seen some profound examples of what business can achieve when it puts responsibility at the heart of its operations. I congratulate Olam for the practical action it has taken to build a fairer world and more sustainable future.”

Other finalists in the Unliever Global Development Award, supported by Business Fights Poverty, included:

• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline Plc) – GSK-Save the Children partnership
• Pollinate Energy – Pollinate Energy Business Model
• Primark – Sustainable Cotton Programme
• GEEL Medical Services – Delivering Dignity through Healthcare

To find out more about Olam’s highly commended SECO programme, read their story on BITC’s website.