Step 1: Research and Seed Procurement for Trials
We identify and source the Breeder, Foundation, and Certified Non-GMO seeds including lesser-known varieties in collaboration with agriculture research institutions. The seeds are sourced on the basis of their content, physical and chemical properties, like nutritional value, presence or absence of a particular enzyme or taste, size, color, and shape.
Further, we take a sample of the identified unique variety of foundation and certified seeds, for a trial batch with food product manufacturers.
Step 2: Connecting with the Food Product Manufacturers
We promote Harvestify’s social business for-profit concept among sustainability-minded food manufacturers.
A concept where the exclusive grains are grown entirely by marginalized community smallholder farmers, using sustainable methods of cultivation, harvesting, and supply chain.
Subsequently, we apprise the food manufacturers regarding the active constituents, physical, and chemical properties of the selected variety of non-gmo seed, and conduct trials of pilot batches in their plant until approval of the final batch.
Step 3: Procurement of seeds
After approval of the sample, we procure a commercial quantity of foundation or certified seeds from agriculture universities and research institutions for multiplication or cultivation purposes in partnership with our trained smallholder farmers.
Step 4: Farmer Partnership, Training, and Cultivation
We connect with farmers directly through different programs at the village level and through different farmer-produce organizations, cooperatives, NGOs, and other social enterprises.
We fund and support our nonprofit sister concern, Ek Sankalp, to train smallholder farmers owning less than 4 hectares of land.
Step 5: Two Fold Farmer Training on Sustainability and Revenue Generation
We at Harvestify have a two-fold training process for our smallholder farmer network.
We educate our farmers in batches of up to 100 at a time, through a unique training plan of our nonprofit initiative with Ek Sankalp.
The farmers are trained in sustainable agriculture practices like organic farming, using non-synthetic methods of pest control, fertilization, and conservation tillage practices that increase organic matter in the soil, sequester carbon and support biodiversity.
The farmers are also trained in various revenue-generating techniques like procedures and steps required to grow exclusive customized grains for food manufacturers by following sustainable methods which in turn helps them to earn a premium.
Step 6: Fairtrade
The purchase of crops is executed through an open auction conducted under supervision by the government in a dedicated auction place.
Farmers participate in this auction to sell their crops.
In this open auction, we offer the premium on the maximum selling price. All trade data is saved on a digital ledger of government portals. https://www.enam.gov.in/web/
The authenticity of trade is established through unique barcodes and QR codes generated against tax duty on the purchase price of every crop sourced from the farmers.
Step 7: Processing Unit Partnerships and building Sustainable Supply chain
We partner with various processing units for the purpose of cleaning, sorting, grading, and storing grains and train them to follow sustainable methods like responsible sourcing, sustainability assessment through third agencies, traceability in processing to ensure food safety and quality, and minimization of grain waste during processing.
Our commitment to a sustainable supply chain is also fulfilled through procuring, processing, and storing locally. To ensure food safety and quality control, our processes are monitored by trained food safety supervisors.