Supporting sustainable incomes for farmers in Guatemala

By Mayora IP

Heifer International, McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavor, and Guatemalan spice supplier, Nueva Kerala, announced the launch of the Cardaforestry project to increase smallholder farmer resilience and improve the quality of cardamom and allspice sourced by McCormick through agroforestry systems by 2023.

The project will invest a total of $1,550,000 from the three organizations in smallholder cardamom and allspice farmers. The investment will allow Nueva Kerala to purchase directly from 500 smallholder cardamom and allspice farmers in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.

Nueva Kerala has committed to ensuring at least 15% of the net profit of each sale goes back to the farmer. The business is part owned by spice farmers, helping to create equity in the supply chain and improve the incomes of cardamom and allspice producers.

"More than 60% of the world's cardamom is grown in Guatemala, but the smallholder farmers behind this prized spice struggle to make a profit. This strategic investment in Nueva Kerala will enable farmers to access the equipment they need to reliably produce and sell more spices, giving them more ownership in the process," said Gustavo Hernandez Polanco, National Director for Heifer Guatemala.

With demand for spices and ethically sourced food products rising during the pandemic, the partnership will connect farmers to new markets, supporting them to build environmentally sustainable spice enterprises that will continue to turn a profit in the long-term.

Rhe Cardaforestry project will support infrastructure investments, including in low-carbon, energy efficient dryers using electricity and solar energy instead of firewood. The dryers will improve spice quality, forest management and carbon sequestration in the soil while reducing deforestation for firewood, ensuring long term economic and environmental sustainability.