Connecting production & nutrition: Solidaridad’s experience in strengthening soy and leafy vegetables seed value chains in India

In conversation with Jeroen Kroezen, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Solidaridad

Could  you please tell me more about yourself and your work?

I have been working at Solidaridad from the Netherlands. My focus is on Corporate engagement and partnerships (collaborations with companies). We work with smallholder farmers and workers in developing countries in collaboration with the private sector. In the past, we were strongly focused on the consumer market from the farmer-founding fathers of fair trade (value chain approach, from which fair trade originated). Over the years, we started collaborating with brands and companies to make value chains more sustainable. Six years ago, we also started collaborating with agribusiness companies—companies that assist small farmers with technologies and seeds. This was a new approach for us because we didn't have a direct link between these companies and  consumers in Europe. One of the important partnerships that emerged from this is with East-West Seed (in India, Bangladesh and Nigeria) which is focused on making high-quality seeds accessible to farmers, providing training, and more.

Please tell me more about your activities, what program would you like to highlight for this interview?

I would like to highlight our  project in India, in collaboration with East-West Seed, which is linked to the nutrition agenda, and in which we therefore focus on nutrition. In this project, we have set up a vegetable production diversification strategy for soy farmers, as part of a PPP funded by RVO, under the SDGP program. The local soy company in India partners with East-West Seed, and the project is valued at EUR 4 million. RVO has four themes for project applications in the SDGP program, with most applications focusing on the value chain, labour, climate, and nutrition. We are the only project that specifically targets nutrition, thus ensuring a more significant impact.

The project is situated in the largest soy-producing state in India, which is facing significant challenges with protein deficiency and no local soy consumption. Amongst consumers, there is a shortage of iron consumption and thereby a need for green leafy vegetables. 

Considering this nutritional situation, Solidaridad already had a multi-year program with soy farmers in India, and the network this project could build on was therefore already established. East-West Seed recognized the potential during their visit and proposed a plan focused on the production side. We already had an extensive network of extension officers for soy farmers, demonstration plots, lead farmers providing guidance through training, and encouraging proper production methods.

To stimulate the consumption of soy, the project is linked to the national NDM Midday Meal program at schools on a national level. The lunches at schools are partly decided at the central level and partly through local budgets per school. The project collaborates with the Midday Meal program, offering more balanced nutrients to students and introducing more soy products.

Furthermore, in collaboration with a local soy-operating company, we are developing broken soy that can be used in curry preparation, providing improved availability of soy at the local market. In the communities themselves, we are also working with women's groups in cooking workshops and training, focusing on the development of well-balanced vegetables and soy-based meals.

This whole project is a relatively new approach for us. Previously, our focus was on farmers, but now we also collaborate with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWSKT). In the first phase, our collaboration revolves around technical knowledge, and in the second phase, EWS provides seeds during the demonstrations. Solidaridad focuses on community mobilization, planning training sessions, and commercial pre-competitive initiatives. We promote vegetable cultivation for EWS and other local companies.

What we see in this project is that farmers don't always buy the right seeds; some rely on saved seeds, leading to a decline in quality due to diseases, etc. Starting with good-quality materials is essential, and we therefore work with nurseries, where seeds can germinate well before being planted in the open field.

The project commenced in 2020, faced delays due to COVID-19, but has made significant progress so far. We have a dedicated team in India across various sectors, including SOYA and Madhya Pradesh. This project builds upon our existing efforts.

One of the project partners is a farmer cooperative, supported through the soy program. They collaborate with Smart Kisan, a production company that produces soy seeds. We also work with Syngenta, on seed development for instance.

What has been your biggest success so far?

We have successfully bridged the connection between production and nutrition, strengthening both the farmers and the business case. Our contribution to nutrition is a significant challenge, and it forms a beautiful combination.

How does the project contribute to SDG 5: gender equality?

When we were developing the project, we held several meetings where men and women were not allowed in the same space due to cultural norms. In nutrition, there are also differences being addressed, due to different nutritional needs of men and women – our main goal is to raise awareness to improve the overall family diet.

In the cooking group, there is a traditional role division with a focus on women. Kitchen garden kits are utilized, which consist of a mix packet containing various seeds for kitchen gardens, and these are often distributed to women.

What would you have done differently in retrospect if you could start all over again?

There is not a lot that we would have done differently, as we already knew the context and the issues, which is what made this project so interesting for us. There will probably be small things that we can approach differently. Perhaps farmers take certain choices in the varieties of vegetables which lead to low harvest. It is a process of  trial and error.

In broad strokes, diversifying the production system and linking to vitamin- and iron-rich vegetables is very new and brings about impact and success. And for EWS, this has been a new region and business development.

What advice would you give to other seed sector project implementers?

Working with good partners is essential for the success of a project. We have strong collaborations with EWS and local companies, as well as the local government contributing to the promotion of our activities. Partners who understand the local context well and align with existing initiatives are key. Joining the existing midday scheme, which already existed throughout India, was crucial for us.

Working in local communities, previously focused on production, but the shift to consumption is an area where you can make a contribution. It involves seeking synergies.

For you personally, what are some of the reasons that you enjoy working in the seed sector?

I have been in this field since my graduation period. I studied economics, and at that time, I had to choose between the corporate sector and the development sector. I wanted to engage in international work and make a meaningful contribution. I have also lived and worked abroad for six years, collaborating with farmer cooperatives, and I have a strong affinity for this work.