‘Witnessing companies make progress has been very rewarding’ – Ruth Ascencio [Interview]

Ruth Ascencio is head of Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean at Bonsucro, a sustainability platform for sugarcane that works to accelerate the sustainable production, certification, and uses of sugarcane.

She received her degree in Food Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico in the late 90s and in 2012, while working at Nicaraguan sugarcane mill Azunosa, she first encountered the Bonsucro Production Standard that, she says, ignited her passion for sustainability. She then worked as a consultant, helping large multinationals such as WWF and Coca-Cola meet their sustainability goals, before joining Bonsucro in 2023.

What attracted you to a career focused on the agri-food supply chain? 

“Agribusiness companies are vital to the Latin American economy. Sugarcane is also one of the most important crops globally – with production of approximately 177 million metric tons in 2022-23. 

“Sugarcane is a complex product, but 20 years of experience in agriculture allowed me to step in and support companies in developing and implementing practical and effective management strategies to become efficient and more sustainable. 

“Working with Bonsucro enabled me to contribute more significantly to advancing more sustainable practices – witnessing companies make progress has been very rewarding.”

What does an average day look like for you? Do you often get out of the office and into the field, mills, and factories? 

“No two days are the same! I have meetings with Bonsucro members in the region and beyond – this includes engaging with other interested organisations on meeting our Production Standard. Lately, there has been a lot of interest in our Credit Trading Platform, which gives companies the opportunity to support more sustainable sugarcane while rewarding Bonsucro Certified mills and farms for their commitment to sustainability. 

“Ultimately, my work focuses on bringing people together to deliver more positive impact.  Visiting farms and mills is my favourite part of the job. There is so much to learn, and it helps me to identify ways of improving processes related to efficiency, health and safety, and the environment.”

Bonsucro’s mission is to accelerate the sustainable production of sugarcane. It also coordinates projects to protect sugarcane field workers from certain occupational hazards.  Can you give some examples of such problems (and solutions)?  

“Bonsucro focuses on many different challenges in the sugarcane industry: from climate change to human rights and value in the supply chain. Many of these issues overlap, so we need to tackle them together. For example, climate change seriously affects sugarcane production and yields, but harvesting sugarcane can also be hazardous for workers as it occurs in hot climates – these health risks include heat stress, dehydration, and exhaustion.

“We recently ran a series of webinars showing members how to significantly reduce the risks of heat stress by implementing measures such as regular breaks in shaded areas, providing adequate hydration, and training workers to recognise the symptoms of heat stress. 

“At the same time, it’s important that sugarcane production is made more sustainable to reduce its climate impact. That’s why we recently introduced the ClimateCane Tracker, which establishes clear pathways for operators to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

What is the situation currently like for female sugarcane farmers and farm labourers in the countries you work in – Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean? Do they face specific problems related to their gender? 

“Women play a crucial role in the sugarcane sector. We’ve seen the number of women working in the sector increase steadily recently in my region, partly due to migration. There are certainly structural challenges for women in sugarcane, like other agricultural sectors. Women often face discrimination, and lack access to resources, training, and markets. 

“But we are also seeing improvements. Mills have started allowing women to take up roles that were previously only available to men. Communities are thriving as more women are supported. It is amazing to see young women smashing gender stereotypes by training to drive mechanical harvesters and tractors.”

Does Bonsucro do any work specifically focused on empowering women in the sugar supply chain (either at a farm level or elsewhere)? 

“The Bonsucro Production Standard sets out important requirements that help to drive gender equality. For example, even if it is not specified in local legislations, we want certified operators to conduct community-based empowerment training and promote recruitment operations with no discrimination. Recently, we added an indicator that says producers should work towards a target of 15% women in managerial positions. 

“There’s a long way to go for gender equality, but Bonsucro certification is an important tool to help make progress. As a global platform, we bring together the important actors who have the power to make change on complicated issues like gender equality – producers, companies, governments, civil society. The Bonsucro Impact Fund, for instance, is currently supporting efforts to develop models and tools aimed at identifying human rights risks faced by workers, including addressing gender discrimination such as wage gaps, unequal representation, and sexual harassment.”

Many consumers in Europe are aware of unsustainable practices related to coffee, tea, and cocoa, and they will specifically buy products that are certified fair trade or sustainable. However, the sugarcane supply chain is not as well-known and not many consumers think to seek out sustainable sugar. Why do you think this is and is it changing? 

“Often, companies are reluctant to draw attention to the sugar in their products!

“Sugar isn’t only used as a sweetener – it’s also used to change consistency and colour as well as extend a product’s shelf life. It can also be processed into a variety of products. Ethanol, for example, is used in alcoholic beverages, beauty products, and bioplastics. Making rum more sustainable is really gaining momentum. Tetra Pak’s sugarcane-derived bioplastics are also Bonsucro Certified, which is great for companies seeking more sustainable packaging. 

“Across all these different industries, we are seeing a growing momentum with companies taking responsibility for their supply chains, as consumers increasingly expect them to communicate clearly about sustainability.”

Have you ever come up against traditional ideas regarding gender/male-female roles in your own career path and, if so, were they a major obstacle for you?

“Traditional gender roles and machismo have long impeded women's progress in the food industry, marginalising our contributions and limiting career advancement.  I went through many of these issues, especially at the beginning of my career, where I needed to overperform in my work so that I was taken seriously.

“However, the industry is evolving, with more organisations adopting policies to support women and create inclusive environments. I have seen changes in the last few years and hopefully we are seeing a broader societal movement towards gender equality, fostering greater opportunities for women to lead and thrive.”