To launch their brand, Ekyaam, Alphonso mango growers from the Konkan region partnered with Innoterra, a Swiss-Indian food and tech platform enterprise. Ekyaam is derived from the Sanskrit term 'Ekam,' which means 'one' and symbolises unity. It symbolises both Alphonso's position as the one mango ('ek aam' in Hindi) and the farmers' unity in promoting Alphonso internationally.
More than 2,000 Alphonso growers in the Konkan region have teamed together to bring consumers the best fruit eating experience possible under the Ekyaam brand. Fruits sold under the brand are collected carefully from selected farms and handled and ripened as per FSSAI-approved procedures. Before being packaged, each fruit is scanned individually to assure the highest possible quality for consumers. Ekyaam provides complete traceability: each fruit is labelled with a QR code that allows clients to track the fruit back to the farm where it was grown.
Ekyaam's products will be offered in several pack sizes across India's main cities, beginning with Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Kolkata. A test launch in premium foreign markets, beginning with mainland Europe, is in the works.
"This is a historic partnership that spans the whole Konkan area, encompassing the Alphonso farmer base." Innoterra is working with cooperatives and FPOs from Ratnagiri, Devgad, Pawas, Vengurla, Kelshi, and other places on this project. "This brand launch is a significant milestone in helping farmers get the most out of their produce," said Mansoor Kazi, a member of Pawas Cooperative's Board of Directors.
"This collaboration with the Alphonso farmer community is an essential illustration of the Innoterra Ag-tech Platform's potential and promise." The brand Ekyaam was created with a modern vibe in mind, with the goal of showcasing the capabilities of Indian farmers to offer excellent products to a worldwide audience. "We will ensure that people all around India and around the world can enjoy the flavour of real, high-quality Alphonso mango," says Pascal Foehn, Innoterra's Group COO and Co-Head Platform.
