Compagnie Fruitière renews its partnership with WWF France for more sustainable banana production

During the 1st phase of partnership with WWF France, Compagnie Fruitière deployed in West Africa a project to reduce the use of phytosanitary products and increased from 1% to 6% the share of banana volumes in organic farming . WWF France also supported the company in the development of a roadmap aiming to go from 7% to 20% of certified bananas in organic farming by 2025. This is in order to continue this process of progress and the implementation of these objectives that the two actors commit to a new 3-year cooperation.

 

 

 

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world today. However, as the FAO warned in 2017, the production sector is subject to significant risks: the rapid development of resistance to treatments due to the low genetic diversity in intensive plantations as well as the high environmental impact that this crop can have on soils, forests, air, water and biodiversity. With Compagnie Fruitière, WWF France wishes to support the transformation of this production system by applying certain principles from agroecology and organic farming while continuing to implement fair social certification. This transition implies the reduction of the use of phytosanitary products and the complexification of cropping systems to maintain and protect the soil.

 

 

 

"We are experimenting with Compagnie Fruitière in new innovative practices that are more concerned with protecting soil, biodiversity and water. Together, we have developed an ambitious roadmap for 2025 with the achievement of 20% certified organic bananas. The renewal of this partnership will allow us to support the implementation of these practices and achieve the defined objectives. Arnaud Gauffier, Director of Programs at WWF France.

 

 

 

In collaboration with CIRAD experts and with the support of WWF France, Compagnie Fruitière carried out a diagnosis in 2017 in 3 banana production subsidiaries in West Africa to identify the constraints to implementation in the field of the "4x without" project. The goal of the project is to phase out herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and nematicides where conditions are considered favorable. This project to improve agricultural practices is underway in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon. The results are positive, with a reduction of 2% in the quantities of active ingredients in 2018 vs 2017.

 

 

 

Beyond the elimination of these phytosanitary products, synergies are developing and the benefits are manifold: new management practices for plots allow better infiltration and retention of water while cover plants enrich the soil. In addition, the drop in treatments coupled with the development of these cover plants has an effect on biodiversity and allows the return of insects, birds and small mammals.

 

 

 

"The continuation of this partnership with WWF France embodies the commitment of the Compagnie Fruitière Group to develop new agricultural practices that are more respectful of the environment in both conventional and organic farming with the assistance of external expertise" declared Paul Bouzon, CSR manager of Compagnie Fruitière.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Compagnie Fruitière

 

The Compagnie Fruitière Group is the leading fruit producer in the A.C.P. (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) with nearly 500,000 tonnes of fruit produced on its African plantations and in Ecuador. Its highly integrated model relies on the mastery of several trades in the fruit sector to control all stages: agricultural production, port and maritime logistics, ripening and distribution. The second largest operator in the banana sector in Europe, the group currently markets more than 800,000 tonnes of fruit across Europe and in Africa.