24th May 2017

New instrument provides opportunities for recognition & learning

Bonsucro, the global sugarcane platform, proudly presents its Benchmarking Protocol today. The protocol is the cornerstone of Bonsucro’s Benchmarking & Endorsement Programme. This programme fosters collaboration between the growing number of schemes, tools and standards that improve and validate the performance of sugarcane farmers and mills. It also aims to create transparency for producers, buyers, investors so they can make informed choices about the schemes and tools that work best for them.

The Protocol clearly establishes the level of alignment between any scheme, standard or tool and the Bonsucro Production Standard – the global reference for the production of sugarcane products. Benchmarking is possible for schemes that take a holistic approach, but also for those that have a specialised focus – such as labour practices or water use.

“Benchmarking is an important new instrument for us”, says Sven Sielhorst, Director of Global Programmes at Bonsucro. “It enables us to recognise other schemes, standards and tools that guide and validate producer performance and it allows us to create a platform where we can learn from each other and grow our impact together.”

Endorsement

Benchmarked schemes provide the basis for another innovation that Bonsucro is working on, which is endorsement of local improvement programmes. This looks at how the Bonsucro Standard or a benchmarked scheme is used on the ground to drive real performance improvement at farm and mill levels. Bonsucro expects to launch this instrument later this summer.

The launch of the Bonsucro Benchmarking Protocol signifies the culmination of a thorough design process. This involved online and offline consultations, several pilots and deep involvement of many of Bonsucro’s members and partners. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for all the feedback and support that we received over the course of this process”, says Sven Sielhorst.

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