In Ghana, IDH began field testing the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System with 16,000 farmers in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and several cocoa companies. This publicprivate partnership aims to ensure compliance with sustainability standards by improving cocoa segregation practices and preventing circumvention. The overall aim is to build unified, scalable systems that protect forests and improve livelihoods, while building mutual trust among key actors.
Uganda: Building Capacity for Compliance in the coffee sector
In 2024, IDH collaborated with key partners in the Ugandan coffee industry to prepare for compliance. Partnering with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and Café Africa, IDH helped design a national action plan aligned with EUDR and CSDDD requirements.
Efforts include awareness campaigns and the integration of advanced traceability technology into existing farmer networks, such as the Uganda Coffee Farmers Alliance (UCFA). By prioritising cost-effective compliance solutions, IDH ensures that Uganda’s smallholder farmers remain competitive and integral to global supply chains.
Malaysia: Innovative EUDR Solutions for Palm Oil
In Malaysia, IDH is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to meet EU deforestation regulations by the end of 2025. In 2024, a program was piloted to build mapping efforts and improve traceability for smallholders through the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS 2).
Leveraging the mandatory Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification framework, the project works towards building smallholder inclusion models with assurance by MSPO on deforestation and legality compliance at a landscape level. Once successfully piloted, the project aims to expand the model to all 162 Sustainable Palm Oil Clusters (SPOCs) managed by MPOB nationwide, ensuring long-term compliance and resilience in the palm oil sector.
Brazil: Adapting the Calves Protocol for Beef and Leather
In Brazil, IDH commissioned a study to analyse what’s needed to adapt a Protocol for the sustainable Production of Calves to meet EUDR standards for beef and leather exports. This protocol uses ear tag identification and blockchain technology to enhance supply chain transparency.
Additional measures, such as third-party audits and farm transition documentation, ensure products meet deforestation-free criteria. With Brazil’s leather industry exporting 25% of its production to the EU, aligning with EUDR is crucial for maintaining access to this key market.