Jan 28, 2026
abunda+: smart digitalisation software
PRONATEC commissioned the development of abunda+ four years ago in response to growing requirements for recording and documenting cultivation areas and mapping internal control systems (ICS). Alongside support for organic and fair trade certifications, a further priority from the outset was preparing for the requirements of the EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR). The aim was to provide cooperatives with a software solution that would simplify processes, store data centrally and offer a digital basis for internal controls and external audits.
“At the time, there was no ICS software on the market that met all of these needs,” says Patricia Martínez Rios, Client Manager at abunda+. “This gave us the idea to develop our own, tailored tool.” Above all, the system needed to be technically capable and easy to use. At the same time, it had to remain affordable for cooperatives of all sizes, so that smaller organisations could also enjoy the benefits of a digital control system.
Patricia Martínez Rios, Client Manager at abunda+ since day one
ICS as the foundation for certifications
An effective internal control system is essential for cooperatives wishing to obtain certifications and provide reliable support to their members. Before an audit by an external inspection body can take place, cooperatives must first collect comprehensive data from all members as part of internal inspections, known as pre-certifications. For each smallholder, the inspectors record whether the required criteria have been met and all supporting evidence has been provided. Only once this groundwork has been completed can the official certification process begin, with inspections limited to spot checks.
abunda+ in practice:
Cooperatives actively use the tool during inspections …
… to answer questions from external auditors.
The abunda+ software was developed to map all relevant data and conditions systematically in digital form and make them comparable over many years. The mobile app enables internal inspectors to record plot data and control points directly in the field, even without an internet connection. Photos, GPS coordinates and responses from integrated checklists are automatically assigned to the respective members and later transferred to a central database. abunda+ thereby replaces processes that were previously paper-based or organised using complex Excel spreadsheets.
For cooperatives, this offers major benefits in terms of clarity and traceability: alongside basic plot data, they can also record observations on crops, animals or neighbouring areas. A checklist covering the requirements of several standards consolidates different certification criteria into a single questionnaire – with options to add required photos, record any deviations and document corrective measures. The result is a consistent data basis that supports internal processes and makes it easier to prepare for external audits.
Even with a weak or missing internet connection …
… the data can be reliably captured and uploaded later.
Georeferencing and a structured approach to EUDR risks
With the requirements of the EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR), precise georeferencing of cultivation areas is becoming increasingly important and is now a key operational focus for many smallholder organisations. abunda+ gives internal inspectors the ability to pinpoint plots clearly and examine potential deforestation risks directly.
When areas are flagged as potentially at risk during deforestation assessments, it is important to examine the actual conditions on the ground and document them reliably in order to avoid drawing premature conclusions. Not every risk flag automatically indicates a breach of the rules by the smallholders; in many cases, it is due to natural factors.
As part of their assessment, the inspectors take pictures and record additional information on site, which are then linked directly to the corresponding plot polygon. Using a questionnaire with a concise checklist, they can systematically narrow down possible causes such as storms, disease or age-related tree fall and document them in a transparent, traceable way.
This consistent collection of data is crucial not only for implementing the EUDR but also for meeting biodiversity requirements. For example, if an old, protected tree is recorded during an inspection, it is easy to check the following year whether it is still there. The same applies to storage sites, facilities and other sensitive areas: changes remain traceable over several years because all relevant information is linked directly to the corresponding control point. These links create a solid basis for well-founded decisions, helping cooperatives to meet regulatory requirements reliably and avoid misinterpretations.
Integrated checklist: questionnaire and risk assessment section to document deforestation risks in line with EUDR requirements directly in the abunda+ app.
Proven in audit settings – a real-world example
The practical value of digital data collection becomes particularly clear in day-to-day certification work. During a CERES audit of FUNDOPO smallholders in 2024, the auditor highlighted the functionality and user-friendliness of the software. Instead of having to sift through countless folders, all relevant information could be accessed directly on the tablet and compared with the previous year’s data. The reduced search effort made the audit easier and significantly lightened the workload of everyone involved.
External audit with abunda+ on a tablet
“abunda+ provides a structured way to map internal control processes. Preparing for certifications is much simpler, and audits by inspection bodies can be completed far more efficiently,” says Patricia Martínez Rios, who played a key role in developing abunda+. “This saves cooperatives a great deal of time and money. Internal ICS managers often say they can no longer imagine doing their work without abunda+.”
Evolution and outlook
Around 14 organisations currently work with abunda+. Besides being used by cooperatives such as FUNDOPO, ACOPAGRO and El Quinacho, the software is also deployed in larger projects involving multiple organisations, such as “Paisaje Sostenible de Cacao en la Región San Martín” by Helvetas. However, the software is not only used for cocoa cultivation areas, but also in other commodity sectors where an effective internal control system is required. The cooperatives working with PREMIUM SPICES in Madagascar also use abunda+ for vanilla and spices.
The continuous development of the software is closely aligned with the steadily increasing regulatory requirements. The abunda+ team is in constant dialogue with various certification bodies, aimed at adapting the system on an ongoing basis, so that new requirements can be met promptly and appropriately. This approach has shaped the development of the application from day one and ensures that abunda+ can continue to support cooperatives in their day-to-day work as a practical digital tool.
abunda+ at the Biofach 2026
From 10 to 13 February 2026, abunda+ will be represented at the Biofach 2026 trade fair in Nuremberg with its own stand. The team looks forward to meeting you in person in Hall 1 at stand 1-462.
The abunda+ team is looking forward to meeting you.
About abunda+
abunda+ is a web- and smartphone-based software solution for georeferencing cultivation areas and digitising internal control systems (ICS). It helps cooperatives to record plot data, evidence and control points in a structured way and makes it easier for them to prepare for organic and fair trade certifications and meet regulatory requirements such as the EUDR.
The software was introduced in 2022 as part of a pilot project in the Dominican Republic. The development of abunda+ was initiated and funded by PRONATEC in collaboration with Hipper Consult. Since its launch, the system has been continuously enhanced and is now used across a range of commodity sectors.
Visit the abunda+ website
