Natural Habitats
Impact Report 2021/2022
40
Natural Habitats
Impact Report 2021/2022
41
Internal Inspector of the ICS team (Internal Control System) JORGE RIVERA NATURAL HABITATS - EXTRANATU
TEAM MEMBER WITH A VISION
What is working well Jorge loves his work. He is responsible for training and supporting farmers in better environmental, social and economic practices. A big part of his role is converting farmers from conventional to organic, ethical, and sustainable practices, and he sees firsthand how that transition improves lives. Jorge loves interacting with a variety of people and personalities. He has developed a mutual respect with the farmers he works with, which has helped him achieve his goals. Jorge wants to applaud our customers and Palm Done Right partners for choosing organic palm oil. As he is out in the field every day, he knows that Natural Habitats, and the farmers we source from, are doing everything in their power to make the most sustainable products for our markets. Jorge is convinced that organic and sustainable products are the future, and believes our customers are setting an example for others in the markets to follow. What could be improved A big challenge Jorge faces is changing people’s mindset. Many farmers he encounters are profit focused and resistant to seeing the bigger picture that will create widespread change. Jorge had identified the length of time it takes to get farmers certified as another area for improvement. This is because the demand for research, analysis, training, conversion time, audits and reviews can take months or even years. To encourage farmers to commit to the standards’ sustainability principles & criteria, Jorge feels these processes must improve. He finds it difficult to explain why these processes take so long to complete, and has to repeatedly remind farmers in transition of the benefits that come with organic certification. Looking to the future If Jorge could have one wish, it would be for every Ecuadorian oil palm farm to transition to organic and sustainable palm oil. Or even better – for 100% of crops produced in Ecuador to be certified organic.
Before becoming an internal inspector, Jorge was part of the sourcing team, reaching out to conventional farmers and motivating them to join the Natural Habitats organic palm oil supply network. A bit about Jorge Jorge joined Natural Habitats in June 2017. He is 29 years old and lives with his girlfriend and stepson in Quinindé. Jorge has always worked in the palm cultivation sector, and sustainability has been important to him from the start. He believes oil palm is a very sustainable crop which creates a lot of work and income for communities.
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