high-quality gherkins

Transcription

1 Producing more high-quality gherkins through good agricultural practices The Indian Gherkin Project

2 The situation The gherkin (Cucumis anguria) is a fruit similar in form and nutritional value to a cucumber. Gherkins and cucumbers belong to the same species (Cucumis sativus) but are different cultivar groups. Since there is a growing worldwide demand for pickled gherkins, more and more food companies have started to explore opportunities for producing gherkins. This is particularly true of India given the favourable growing conditions in that country. However, many challenges have to be overcome. For example, there is not much expertise in growing gherkins according to good agricultural practices (GAP) and many small-scale farms/farmers need support and training. Over a period of time, Reitzel faced many challenges, including decreasing yield and quality due to pests such as downy mildew, borers and fruit flies. At the same time, Reitzel has to comply with stricter and stricter EU and US regulations about the use of plant protection products (PPP) and maximum residue limits (MRL) on gherkins. So they regularly set up experimentation fields and PPP lists to prevent any risk of exceeding MRL and to comply with all regulations. Reitzel India Pvt Ltd. is a company operating in Europe, Turkey and India, has developed expertise with local partners and started the gherkin cultivation and processing business in India in Contract farming with agronomical support from Reitzel s technicians is considered to be the most appropriate method of growing gherkins according to good agricultural practices in India.

3 The partners involved Farmers: They receive training and advice on integrated effective solutions for yield and quality improvement and increased net profit. The outcome is improved yield and quality of the production. Reitzel: Field trials were conducted in order to test Bayer s gherkin solution under practical usage conditions before advising farmers to apply it. Reitzel supported farmers with expertise on gherkin cultivation, trade requirements and customer specifications. Here, the close relationships between Reitzel agri-technicians and farmers proved particularly beneficial. Reitzel agri-technicians: They adapted the advice given to implement good agricultural practices and provide adequate plant protection products, seeds and fertilisers to farmers. Reitzel factories: The aim is to ensure a continious supply of fresh and high-quality gherkins to the factories in India, France, Switzerland and Turkey as well as for export to various countries in accordance with trade regulations (e.g. MRL regulations) and customers requirements. Bayer CropScience: An integrated solution was developed for gherkin management based on the Food Chain Partnership model by applying the 5P programme to support Reitzel in exporting gherkins from India. With its national and international expertise, Bayer has been able to provide technical know-how from seed to harvest, e.g. selection of seed variety, optimised plant protection solutions and support in compliance with trade regulations.

4 The objective Develop and implement effective solutions to improve the yield and quality of gherkins, creating a win-win situation for all partners involved by implementing good agricultural practices and respecting the principles of sustainable agriculture. The solution This food chain partnership started with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Reitzel India and Bayer CropScience in Both parties shared their expectations with regard to this partnership and agreed on the implementation of the 5P process: Production: Nunhems, a subsidiary of Bayer CropScience, provided the gherkin variety Ajax, a high-yielding hybrid variety with good processing qualities. Protection: With technical support from Bayer, Reitzel conducted many in-house trials to develop an optimised solution for plant protection treatments. Bayer and Reitzel experts developed a decision tree for the best growing solution according to good agricultural practices and respecting international trade regulations, e.g. MRL regulations. Programme monitoring: The programme was jointly monitored during the growing season by Reitzel experts and Bayer food chain managers and project officers. Passport: This tool recorded all field management data, providing adequate traceability and cost management information. It was developed in the respective local language and implemented at every project farm level. Post-harvest: Reitzel developed best grading practices and implemented these together with Bayer field agronomists. Bayer invested in certified analysis of harvested gherkins in order to check any exceedance of MRLs for plant protection products. All the farmers involved in the gherkin food chain partnership project have been trained and supported throughout the growing season by Reitzel technicians with the support of Bayer experts, e.g. training in the safe handling of plant protection products and using modern application technologies. The 5P programme for gherkins was developed according to good agricultural practices with consideration given to the principles of sustainable agriculture.

5 The result The objective was achieved in line with the principles of sustainable agriculture, and this food chain partnership continues for the benefit of all the partners involved. Farmers: Substantial increase of the net income Reitzel Agri: 5,000 farmers advised by 45 agri-technicians Reitzel factories: Continuous supply of quality gherkins with efficient borer and fruit fly management Consumers: All-year-round availability of gherkins Bayer CropScience: Provision of effective solutions for more high-quality gherkins left: Amit Sharma Senior Manager - Food Chain Alliances of Bayer CropScience India right: Sridhara S. Nanjangud CEO of Reitzel India

6 Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the need for healthy nutrition. Food chain partnerships help to supply consumers with high-quality fresh produce, which forms the basis of a healthy diet. But such partnerships can only succeed if they involve every player in the food chain from the farmer and processor to the exporter or importer and retailer. Bayer CropScience has the global experience and cuttingedge expertise to create a successful partnership at every level. REITZEL INDIA PVT LTD # 98-99, KIADB Industrial Area Bangalore Mangalore Highway Anchepalya, Kempanahalli Post KUNIGAL , TUMKUR DIST India Phone: direction@reitzel.ch Internet: For more information contact: Food Chain Partnership Team India Bayer CropScience Limited Bayer House, Central Avenue, Powai, Mumbai Maharashtra India Reitzel SA Route d Ollon 1860 Aigle Switzerland direction@reitzel.ch Internet: Mobile: Phone: Fax: amit.sharma@bayer.com Internet: Bayer CropScience AG Food Chain Management Alfred-Nobel-Str Monheim Germany Phone: Fax: foodchainpartnership@bayer.com Internet: by Bayer CropScience FCP