National Sustainable Spice Program (NSSP)
The National Sustainable Spice Program (NSSP) brings together stakeholders from public and private sectors, as well as smallholder farmer groups on one platform, to address social, economic, and environmental issues in the spices industry in India. This platform was established by World Spice Organisation in collaboration with Spices Board, GIZ, IDH- The sustainable Trade Initiative and Rainforest Alliance.
The primary objective of the program is to promote 'Food Safety and Sustainability' by bringing together key players in the sector with a commitment to ensure market linkage to FPOs and increase sustainable spice production. NSSP develops partnerships and collaborations, and facilitates discussions between stakeholders in the spice value chain through the development of value chain linkages, and establishing service delivery models. NSSP envisions to make 25% of the major spices grown in India sustainable by 2030.
About 240 stakeholders including 67 FPOs covering around 44,000 farmers from all over India are part of NSSP platform. Currently, the activities are focused in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Gujarat and the FPOs cover chilli, cumin, turmeric and pepper. Experienced Master trainers employed by NSSP train the field supervisors of each NGO who in turn trains the farmers thus ensuring that the importance of GAP reaches to the grass root level.Educational videos on Managing Biodiversity, Soil and Water Conservation, Integrated Pest Management and Preventing Child Labour were developed and are available in the NSSP Website in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada.