Business Cases for Biodiversity: the Smallholder Perspective. Cameroonian apiculture company Guiding Hope. Utrecht University & HIVOS.Ministry Economic Affairs, Den Haag, 1 March 2012
1. Guiding Hope
Verina Ingram, Director
Business Cases for Biodiversity: the Smallholder Perspective
Utrecht University & HIVOS
Ministry Economic Affairs, Den Haag, 1 March 2012
2. I. WHO WE ARE
Guiding Hope (Guide d’Espoir)
Cameroonian enterprise
Founded in 2005, incorporated in 2007
Our mission is to develop environmentally and socially responsible, fair yet profitable trade of apiculture products
Hive products: Organic honey, beeswax & propolis
By-products: Soaps, candles, creams etc.
3. Business Model
Strategy to
guide producers with information and training,
ensuring fair prices, and
access new, near and distant market opportunities
we ultimately aim to assure the relay between disadvantaged producers of high-value apiculture products and equitable markets.
5. Commitment to sustainability
Economic: take a value chain approach to ensure fair prices & salaries
Social: work closely with our supplier communities to empower & equip them and ensure their needs are addressed in our activities; setting up GH foundation
Environmental: production processes strictly organic & environmentally sustainable; engage in reforestation and conservation activities
8. Technical training in honey, wax & propolis production techniques
Stimulate production of value-added products such as soap and candles, esp. among women
Promote knowledge & production of medicinal by-products (propolis, pollen and medicinal plants e.g. Kofia)
Research & development of cosmetic & household products (e.g. body cream, lip balm, shoe polish)
Organisational training in quality control, administration and accounting & needs-based community development
Capacity building & product development
11. Market development & outreach
Conduct market research & outreach
Manage export of wax, honey & propolis
Work with government and sector representatives
gain access for Cameroon to export markets
create national standards for honey production & quality
establish govt. accountability for apiculture sector
Obtain Organic, Ethical Trade* certification and Community Trade (Body Shop) for our products
Lobby for Cameroon honey rights: formed Cameroon Union of Exporters of Apiculture Products and Apiculture Interprofession
12. Certified organic production
Best beekeeping practices with minimal impact
Raising awareness of forage sources
Forest protection
Planting & regeneration - hive materials
Footprint & Environmental Impact Assessment
Reducing fuel inputs and waste streams
Collaborate with others – learn & share
BENEFITS TO BIODIVERSITY
17. Who benefits (locally)?
Direct beneficiaries
1,000 apiculturers & their households = 10,000 individuals
Indirect beneficiaries
Other beekeepers (through GH expansion, mkt. development; est. 2-3,000 individuals in medium term)
Other exporters from reduced customs, bureaucracy & tax problems
Villagers from services, e.g. drinking water, savings and credit schemes (over 1,000)
Service providers e.g. transporters, labourers, expediters (approx. 100).
18. Diverse support - largely on our terms Great partners (PPPs) Strategic but opportunistic Knowing our sector Business (not an NGO) Entrepreneurial & risk taking Enthusiasm - in face of adversity Varied financial sources Able to bear initial losses Action learning - from mistakes
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Cam Iron SA
19. Doing business & finding the “right” clients Sustaining team enthusiasm with growth Preserving quality with up-scaling Cash flow Our professionalization Conserving forests (formal or customary?) New product development Financing environmental & social aspects Maintaining community & supplier expectations Reliable investors, credit suppliers and donors Sticking your head out syndrome…..
CHALLENGES
20. Monitoring impacts
Baselines are important!
Economic impact
Market study Cameroon 2006 (SNV)
National & international Market survey 2008 & 2009
Social baseline 2007, 2009
5 yearly strategic development plans
Environmental & Social impact monitoring
Monthly village meetings
Health & social baseline 2007, 2009
Climate changes & environment 2010, 2011
Annual Organic Audits (Soil Association)
Annual EU residue monitoring scheme tests
Pollen and wax tests 2010
Issues: costs, time and analysis