Sankalp Project for Sustainable Mint Farming by Norex.

Summary

Project Sankalp, initiated by Suncoop, is a three-year sustainability initiative aimed at empowering marginal farmers in Amroha District, India. The project focuses on enhancing mint cultivation by providing root stals, expert guidance, and training sessions, ensuring higher crop productivity and fair pricing through a transparent supply chain. Beyond agriculture, it promotes social inclusion, women’s empowerment, and education through WASH and literacy programs. With advanced distillation technology and collaborative efforts with other distillers, Sankalp ensures high-quality mint oil production. The project ultimately seeks to boost farmer income, optimize environmental resources, and foster long-term sustainability for a better future.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Project Sankalp, meaning determination, is a three-year initiative aimed at supporting marginal farmers in Amroha District, India.
• 👨‍🌾 The project will benefit over 10,000 farmer families in Western Uttar Pradesh.
• 🌿 The focus is on creating a sustainable, traceable supply chain for mint while improving crop productivity and farmer incomes.
• 💪 Suncoop emphasizes women farmer and laborer empowerment through WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and literacy programs.
• 🌱 Mentha (mint) is sown between February and March, with root stolons distributed to farmers and ongoing support throughout the crop season.
• 📚 CMAP scientists provide regular training sessions to mint farmers on best practices for cultivation.
• 🚜 From May to July, the mint is harvested and transported to advanced distillation units for high-quality oil extraction.
• 🏭 Norex works with both its own and other distilleries to improve the efficiency and quality of mint oil production.
• 💵 Farmers sell mint oil at Norwich purchase points, ensuring fair pricing, transparency, and no discrimination.
• 🌍 The project aims to optimize environmental resources, increase farmer incomes, ensure a transparent supply chain, and promote education and social inclusion.
• 🌟 Sustainability is a core commitment, seen as essential for a better future and long-term community prosperity.

Q & A

What is the main objective of Project Sankalp?

The main objective of Project Sankalp is to support marginal farmers in Amroha District, India, by enhancing crop productivity, increasing their income, and promoting sustainable and innovative farming practices.

What does 'Cope' mean in the context of the project?

'Cope' means determination, emphasizing the project’s focus on helping farmers overcome challenges and succeed through perseverance.

How many farmer families are expected to benefit from the project?

The project is expected to benefit more than 10,000 farmer families in Western Europe and India.

What crop is the focus of Project Sankalp?

The focus of Project Sankalp is mint (Mentha), including its cultivation, harvest, and oil extraction.

What role does the agriculture team of Norwich play in the project?

The agriculture team of Norwich distributes Mentha root stalks to small and marginal farmers and provides guidance and support throughout the crop season.

How does the project ensure fair pricing for farmers?

Farmers sell Mentha oil at Norwich purchase points, where they receive fair pricing without cheating or discrimination, making the selling process easy and profitable.

What social initiatives does Project Sankalp focus on?

The project emphasizes the empowerment of women farmers and laborers through interventions in water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and literacy programs.

How does Project Sankalp contribute to sustainability?

The project promotes sustainability by optimizing environmental resources, creating a traceable and continuous supply chain, and using innovative, eco-friendly farming methods.

What technological support is provided for mint oil extraction?

An advanced oil distillation unit was established in 2017 for high-quality Mentha oil extraction, and Norwich collaborates with other distillers to improve their distillation processes.

What broader impacts does Project Sankalp aim to achieve?

The project aims to achieve environmental resource optimization, increased income for marginal farmers, transparency in the supply chain, education, and social inclusion.

During which months is Mentha sown and harvested?

Mentha is sown between February and March, with the harvest occurring from May to July.

What certifications or standards does Norwich possess for the project?

Norwich possesses PSI FSA certifications for Project Sankalp, ensuring adherence to quality and sustainability standards.