Nestlé India Pledges to Further Help Spice Farmers in India through ‘MAGGI Spice Plan’

Spices and herbs have the ability to transform any dish into a wonderful meal and give new life to even the most basic preparations. Spices are a crucial component of the Nestlé product portfolio and are utilized in a variety of products, especially MAGGI. 

Nestlé MAGGI has created a Sustainable Sourcing Program for spices to help spice producers enhance their economic stability. The initiative, which is based on the pillars of traceability and responsible sourcing, seeks to provide transparency on origins and gradually produce positive impacts for farming communities, the environment, and the company throughout its spice supply chain. The MAGGI Spice plan's primary intervention areas are: ensuring excellent soil health, reducing water wastage,eliminating chemical residues, improving agricultural economics, and increasing biodiversity through the spice farms. 

"Spices are crucial for India, for Indians, and hence for the MAGGI portfolio," stated Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and MD of Nestlé India. Nestlé India has always aimed to generate value for its stakeholders, particularly the areas in which it operates. The programme is based on three pillars: the environment, people, and profits for farmers.  

We hope to contribute to the improvement of spice farmers' livelihoods by introducing them to the finest agricultural methods that will enable them cultivate the greatest output while guaranteeing safe living and working circumstances." 

The first pillar focuses on the traceability of seven spices used in MAGGI products: chillie, turmeric, coriander, cumin, aniseed, fenugreek, and nutmeg. Food traceability in the spice food chain is important to establish that the spices are free from harmful pesticides, additives, and climate change effects.  

In 2020, the project touched the lives of over 1,300 farmers scattered throughout 39 villages and 7 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and this is predicted to expand by approximately 15% by the end of 2022.

The second pillar of responsible sourcing has been tailored address to four areas: ensuring resilient livelihoods, safe living and working circumstances for farmers, and preserving bio diverse and ecologically sustainable farms. 

Nestle India is inspired to look at replicating such endeavors in other agri-commodities where we have engagement because of our connections and the confidence we have built up over the years with spice producers.