Benefiting future generations The women of Kolo Nafaso – the AAK women’s JURXSVSURMHFWLQ%XUNLQD)DVR±DUHEHLQJ coached and educated all year round by AAK’s team of extension workers. This season, women will be taught how to use the shells of the shea kernels in their cooking processes. The shea kernel has a shell and inside that shell is the kernel containing the oil. The women usually de-shell the kernel after boiling in order to dry the kernel properly. The shell then becomes waste when it could actually be used DVIXHOZRRG From a questionnaire study conducted in the villages in spring 2014, only 20 percent of the women actually use shells from the shea kernels, and usually not for the best purpose. They use them as fertilizer, and the shell has a very poor fertilizing value. In order to optimize its usage, the shell could be used as fuel since its energy value is higher than wood. Today, 38 | AAK Responsible growth 80 percent of the women throw their shells away, when they could be using them as a substitute for wood in cooking processes and thereby reducing deforestation. One part of this is to investigate whether the women could plant more trees compared to what they do today. From the questionnaire, it is evident that 62 percent of the women already have some kind of experience with tree planting. Culturally, in 76 percent of the families, both men and women are used to planting trees. In 80 percent of cases, the traditions allow the women to plant shea trees. Furthermore, 82 percent of the women say they would be interested in learning about shea tree regeneration techniques. So there could be a basis for starting a successful shea tree regeneration SURMHFWWKDWZRXOGEHQH¿WIXWXUHJHQHUDWLRQV Mads Jules Feer 6XVWDLQDELOLW\ 6KHD0DQDJHU West Africa AAK Mexico is located in the center of the city of Morelia, which helps to increase our focus on respecting the company’s stakeholders. Actions have therefore been designed to become closer and more active. We have programs and initiatives in our neighbourhood to provide tools for the wellbeing of the families, especially of the children, who are participating very actively and enjoying the sports and health activities that we offer. We want to be a company that gets involved and contributes to the development of future generations. It is our sense of belonging that encourages and guides us in our efforts to participate more, and in our various initiatives to include colleagues and their families, customers, suppliers, members of associations and universities, etc. We get together to participate in various actions to increase awareness, respect and improvement of our environment. At AAK Mexico, we are convinced that by involving people from various sectors, ages and professions with the same purpose of having respect for the environment, we will achieve a greater impact on these relevant and necessary issues. Listening to people and receiving feedback helps us better understand and actively par- WLFLSDWHE\NHHSLQJDORZSUR¿OHDVDFRPSDQ\ but maintaining a solid, permanent and reliable presence. AAK Mexico seeks reliable relationships, which allow us to be co-participants in favour of the environment and its development. Our committment is not with a place, but with the people we are building our future with. Being a good neighbour Octavio Diaz de León President AAK North Latin America “ “ “ “
AAK - Sustainability report 2013/2014
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