Nestle India has launched MAGGI Spice Plan to help improve the economic stability of the spice farmers in India. The food and beverage company has implemented a Sustainable Sourcing Program for spices, which aims to ensure transparency on origins and progressively deliver positive impacts for the farmer community, environment and business within its supply chain.
Built on the pillars of traceability and responsible sourcing, the key areas of intervention of Nestle India’s Sustainable Sourcing Program are ensuring good soil health, no pesticide residues, reduction in water wastage, the economics of cultivation, and biodiversity enhancements through the spice farms.
Commenting on the thought behind the MAGGI Spice Plan, Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & Managing Director, Nestle India, said, “Spices are important for India, for Indians, and hence for the MAGGI portfolio. At Nestle India, we have always aimed to create value for our stakeholders, especially for the communities in which we operate. The program is built on three aspects: planet, people, and profits (for farmers).’’
He further added that through this programme, Nestle India plans to contribute to improving the livelihood of spice farmers by introducing them to sustainable farming practices that would help them grow the best produce while ensuring safe living and working conditions.
The first pillar focuses on the traceability of seven spices – Nutmeg, Chilli, Coriander, Turmeric, Cumin, Fenugreek and Aniseed that are used in MAGGI products. Food traceability in the spice food chain is important to ensure that the spices are free from harmful pesticides, additives and climate change effects. The programme has already impacted the lives of around 1,300 farmers, spread across 39 villages and 7 states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) in 2020, and is expected to increase by 15 percent by the end of 2022.
The second pillar focuses on responsible sourcing. It has been built to address four factors: safe living & working conditions for farmers, ensuring resilient livelihoods, maintaining biodiverse and environmentally sustainable farms.
Suresh Narayanan adds that the partnerships and the trust Nestle has built up over the years with spice farmers give the company an inspiration to look at emulating such endeavors in other agri-commodities as well where we have involvement.