Business Partnership Facility

Development of a Nepalese organic spice chain

Project leader

The Organic Village (Netherlands)

Local partners

The Organic Valley, LEAD NGO (Nepal)

Amount of co-financing

EUR 200,000

Nepal
2017
Completed

Challenge

Nepal is a significant producer of high-quality spices, particularly ginger, turmeric, pepper, and cinnamon. However, there is almost no processing capacity for these spices, which are sold and exported fresh and unprocessed. As a result, small-scale producers are dependent on and vulnerable to volatile markets with low added value.

Innovative solution

The partners have established a certified organic spice processing unit in Nepal, using innovative and novel processing techniques for the country.

Impact

Development of a sustainable, high-value-added processing sector for the country’s economic development
Acquisition of skills for spice producers who have obtained organic certification
Additional and viable income source for local spice producers
Creation of direct jobs within the production unit
Preservation of biodiversity and soil by promoting organic spice production

Targeted Sustainable Development Goals

48 employees and the 1,500 certified farmers benefit from additional income sources.
48 direct jobs have been created, 2,000 producers have been trained in sustainable agricultural production techniques.
1,800 tons of ginger and 178 tons of turmeric are produced and processed each year.
1,004 hectares of land and 1,500 farmers are CERES certified (an international inspection and certification organisation for sustainable organic food and textiles).