In 2006, a trip to Guatemala profoundly changed the trajectory of Lucas Simons’ career. As the director of a large organization focusing on farmers’ certification and standard-setting, Lucas initially travelled to celebrate the certification of coffee farmers. However, a casual yet earnest comment from a local farmer shook him. Despite certification, the farmer lamented, he still couldn’t secure the loan necessary to grow his business. The celebratory atmosphere quickly gave way to contemplation: “If certification doesn’t facilitate better market access for farming organizations, what’s amiss with the system?“
Driven to find a solution, Lucas embarked on a quest for answers. Months of dialogue with industry insiders ensued, but answers were elusive. The turning point came unexpectedly while watching the financial news: “Why not introduce a rating system to indicate the professional reliability of farming organizations?” With a new sense of purpose, Lucas founded SCOPEinsight. The early days were frenetic, filled with extensive collaboration with lenders, data analysts, interns, and other volunteers keen to contribute. Together, they forged the SCOPE methodology, a beacon of business intelligence poised to revolutionize agricultural investment.
Today, SCOPEinsight stands as a testament to Lucas’ vision and perseverance. The company has spearheaded thousands of assessments in collaboration with industry frontrunners like the IFC, Cargill, and ICCO, supported by over 60 development partners. With over a million data points, SCOPEinsight has become a pivotal player in enhancing transparency in the agricultural sector. It’s a journey of turning insights into opportunities, lowering investment risks, and fostering a sustainable future for stakeholders in and around the agricultural value chain. Join us as we continue to pave the path of innovation, foster prosperous partnerships, and cultivate opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Vision, Mission & Approach
Our Vision, Mission, and Approach creates value for the entire agricultural value chain.
Vision
Our vision is to create more opportunities for professional agribusinesses in emerging markets.
Mission
Our mission is to transform agricultural sectors by systematically increasing the market inclusiveness of professional agribusinesses.
Approach
We approach farming as a business and provide the business intelligence needed to advance farmer professionalism.
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Read about how professionalizing farmer organizations is transformational.
