PERU – Global food and agri-business company Olam Agri has continued progress towards more sustainable quinoa and chia supply chains in Peru thus improving farmer livelihoods as well as nutrition and well-being in these farming regions.
These supply chains are delivering positive social and environmental impacts for local quinoa and chia farming communities in Peru, according to their 2021 Specialty Grains & Seeds, Peru Sustainability Report.
Olam Agri’s Specialty Grains & Seeds business in Peru is a leading supplier of processed quinoa grains and chia seeds, offering services to distributors, manufacturers, supermarkets, and private brands across 5 continents.
Healthier eating and plant-based foods are becoming ever popular in consumer markets and this has generated a strong demand for nutrient-rich quinoa and chia seeds.
However, smallholder farmers of quinoa and chia seeds in Peru were yet to realize the positive economic and social impact.
And so, Olam Agri have been using on-site training and public-private collaboration to illustrate how to grow efficiently and sustainably while also providing these farmers better market access.
Not only have the farmers been able to realize better crop yields of improved quality, they have also bolstered their incomes and are managing key challenges such as improving soil fertility, preventing soil erosion, and controlling pests and diseases.
This initiative has seen more than 2,100 smallholder farmers increase productivity and achieve organic certification and has supported 300 farmers to gain access to infrastructure, inputs, funding and technical assistance for organic quinoa production through partnership with Ministry of Agriculture.
Additionally, communities in these farming regions are benefitting from initiatives that are improving nutrition and well-being.
Biswajeet Singh, General Manager, Specialty Grains & Seeds, Olam Agri, Peru, said in a press release to Sprudge, “Our efforts in Peru are a natural extension of Olam Agri’s purpose to transform food, feed and fibre to cultivate a sustainable and food- secure future.”
Olam Agri’ in partnership with the Peruvian Association of Nutrition Professionals have started a program to fight anemia and malnutrition that has benefitted 300 farmers and their families.
Their ‘Kilo per Ton’ initiative gives back to farming communities 1kg of processed quinoa and chia for every ton sold and their partnership with Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program has improved dental health of more than 1,000 children in the highlands of the Peru.
In line with their carbon emission reduction plan, they are working with the Ministry of Environment of Peru towards establishing a carbon footprint baseline at their processing mill and implementing third party verification and reduction plans.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE
