BASF and Solidaridad have joined forces to protect biodiversity, support small-scale palm oil producers in Colombia and promote fair and sustainable labor practices. This joint project, called COCLI, is also supported by Fedepalma and Cenipalma and aims to benefit more than 1.500 producers and 2.600 workers.
COCLI will manage approximately 60 hectares of land in accordance with the highest sustainability standards, such as APSCO and RSPO certifications. This will enable the production of 182 tons of palm oil and 9.000 tons of palm kernel oil, ensuring that these areas meet strict environmental criteria.
Colombia, the world’s fourth largest palm oil producer, stands out for its sustainable approach. However, smallholder farmers, who account for more than 30% of national production, face significant challenges in implementing sustainable practices. COCLI will focus on providing access to technology, education and financing to improve their practices and working conditions, enabling producers to meet the criteria of voluntary sustainability standards and regulatory frameworks and compete in international markets.
Washington Bernardini, Business Manager for Personal Care Chemicals at BASF, emphasized the importance of this raw material: "Palm oil is a vital component in a wide range of products we use every day, from food to beauty and personal care products. Its production must be aligned with sustainable practices to ensure not only the economic viability of farmers, but also the protection of the environment and fair working conditions throughout the chain."
The COCLI project will be implemented in the palm oil producing regions of North, Southwest and Central Colombia. In these regions, smallholder farmers with farms of less than 10 hectares will be able to improve their agricultural practices and increase their resilience to climate change. According to Joel Brounen, Country Manager of Solidaridad Network: “We apply a data-driven, smallholder-centric approach that allows them to improve incomes and increase the sustainability of their plantations.”
In 2021, Colombia produced 1,7 million tons of palm oil, but only 28% met all sustainability standards. This situation limits access to markets such as Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. The COCLI project seeks to change this scenario by improving sustainability standards for small producers with the support of BASF, Solidaridad, Fedepalma, Cenipalma, Corporación APSColombia and RSPO.
John Arias, Sustainability Manager for BASF Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, added: “The COCLI project represents a crucial step towards sustainability in palm oil production in Colombia. With this initiative, we aim to improve agricultural practices and ensure that smallholders have the tools and support they need to thrive in an increasingly demanding global market.”
The project will have a total budget of approximately US$560.000 over three years, covering investments in the field, logistics, technical assistance and management. The funding will be shared between BASF (57%) and Solidaridad (43%), with the aim of strengthening investments in the field and technical assistance.
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