Olam, a leading agri-business operating across the value chain in 70 countries, has launched a 'net-positive' sustainability policy applicable to commodities globally for direct and indirect sourcing with an aim to re-generate rural landscapes and eco-systems. Global agri-business Olam International Limited launched the Olam Living Landscapes Policy (OLLP) which supports a 'Net-Positive' approach to agricultural supply chains and landscape management. The OLLP adopts principles to support the co-existence of prosperous farmers and thriving communities with healthy ecosystems. Its aims apply across products, and cover Olam's plantations and farms, as well as its extensive third-party sourcing network of more than 4 million small and large-scale farmers. Olam said the policy represents a step-change in ambition for the company: to re-imagine agriculture by putting back more into food and farming systems than is taken out. The new policy states that land use activities should be planned and managed in such a way as to supply food and fibre, while maintaining or enhancing critical habitats, and re-generating the natural capital of soil, water and natural ecosystems. Unacceptable land use practices for both Olam's operations and third-party suppliers must be identified and eliminated if present. The framework and strategies will be prepared in two tranches, by 2018 and by 2020. Introducing the policy, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Olam, Sunny Verghese said: "Agriculture is at a tipping point. Unless we address the multiple environmental and social issues affecting our supply chains, our future volumes are at risk. We already have many policies and codes in place but we must now go beyond simply doing less harm, and instead aim for a 'net-positive' impact towards the creation and restoration of natural and social capital. I believe that this Policy is a strong example of our new company purpose: to Re-imagine Global Agriculture while Growing Responsibly'."