Increasing Income of Smallholders in India with Responsible Value Chain for Organic Spices

Northeast India remains one of the least developed regions in the country, with agriculture serving as the primary livelihood for a large portion of its population. Smallholder farmers are engaged in cultivating high-value spices like ginger and Lakadong turmeric, a unique variety native to Meghalaya. Despite the economic potential of these crops, farmers face persistent challenges that limit their income. These include poor access to reliable markets, dependence on multiple intermediaries, lack of organic certification, and limited infrastructure for processing value-added products.

To address these issues, a consortium of organisations — comprising aQysta, Fairfood, The Good Spice, Energy Food Ingredients, and the Jaintia Hills Development Society — has come together to implement a project focused on improving the livelihoods of 240 female farmers grouped into five Self-Help Groups and build on a sustainable spices value chain.

This project aims to empower female farmers by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and tools to boost their incomes through informed decision-making, improved bargaining power, higher yields, and better access to markets. Key interventions include training in financial literacy, self-help group governance, gender empowerment, and the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.

The initiative also focuses on digitising the agricultural value chain to enhance traceability and ensure transparent payments to farmers. In parallel, it supports efforts to improve product quality and safety and secure certifications. Built on a robust multi-stakeholder partnership model, the project positions the region’s agricultural products — particularly Lakadong turmeric with its uniquely high curcumin content — as a premium spice. By strengthening sustainable market linkages and tapping into international demand, the initiative seeks to significantly increase exports of high-value spices from Northeast India while supporting income increase of female farmers.