Unilever and IFF are working with Oxfam and other charities to help improve the lives of vetiver farmers in Haiti. The scheme aims to increase crop yields, diversify income and improve food security.
Vetiver oil is used as a fragrance in many cosmetics, including Unilever’s Axe and Impulse products. Haiti is a key producer of the crop, with much of its supply coming from small farms. Economic pressure can lead many of these farmers to harvest the crop before it is fully mature, reducing yields and increasing soil erosion and deforestation. The partnership aims to reduce the impact of this trend.
The project is backed by Enhancing Livelihoods Fund which works with Unilever, Oxfam Great Britain and the Ford Foundation. The scheme aims to also have a positive social impact, particularly on women in the region.
Heifer International will implement the project and give farmers access to livestock, providing an additional food source and diversifying income. Pierre Farrari, CEO at the charity, explained: “Coupling livestock with improvements in the quality of vetiver crop through optimised conservation practices makes Vetiver Together a true example of the good that can happen when multi-stakeholder partnerships are managed and executed with care.”
Andreas Fibig, Chairman and CEO at IFF, commented: “IFF relies on small farming communities for many natural products. These farmers, their families and communities are an important part of our supply chain.”
Dhaval Duch, Chief Procurement Officer at Unilever, added: “Sustainability is integral to how we do business at Unilever – we aim to enhance the social and economic livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in our supply chain. Creating a more resilient supply chain is essential to make real impact on the ground.”
