Meet rice farmer Sophea

In Cambodia’s Battambang province, rice farmer Sophea embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience in agriculture. Since embarking on his farming journey as a teenager, he has transformed his modest operation into a thriving enterprise that not only meets local demands but also contributes to international markets. This article explores Sophea’s inspiring journey, his commitment to sustainable practices, and the vital role he plays in empowering his community.

Name of farmer: Sophea Say
Project participated in: Sustainable Rice Project Cambodia
Country: Cambodia
Story submitted by: Mars Food & Nutrition

In the early 2000s, Cambodian agriculture experienced a transformative period, paving the way for individuals like Sophea Say, a visionary jasmine rice farmer from Battambang province in the northwest of Cambodia.

Sophea began his farming journey back in 1999, a 17-year-old who was preparing to start his university studies. Learning the art of rice farming from his father and equipped with a solid educational background in business management, Sophea’s determination led him to expand his modest 10-hectare plot into an impressive 120 hectares over the course of two decades.

Today, Sophea is not only a cultivator of paddy rice but also a source of inspiration for fellow farmers, producing rice seeds that can then be used in Mars Food & Nutrition’s products. With four rice varieties on his land, Sophea adeptly responds to market demands, transitioning seamlessly between seed production and rice cultivation. His vision extends beyond his fields, as he plans to integrate his thriving livestock business, which includes around 100 cows, with his rice cultivation efforts.

Reflecting on his journey, Sophea recalls the labor-intensive farming practices and the challenges he faced in the early years. However, through strategic investments and access to financial resources, Sophea has revolutionized his operations, significantly reducing labor costs and improving efficiency. “Every year, my rice production has grown with good profits,” says Sophea. “I have reinvested the earnings to expand my production and hire additional workers during peak seasons.”

Equipped with three tractors and a keen eye for innovation, Sophea embraces technology to drive cost efficiency. Utilizing a drum seeder, a modern tool that facilites precise seed placement, Sophea exemplifies a progressive approach to traditional farming practices, driving efficiency and minimizing waste.

Despite the progress made, challenges remain in Battambang province, particularly regarding the region’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The unpredictable nature of weather conditions can limit farmers to a single crop per year and compelling them to seek alternative income sources to sustain themselves.

Between 2018 and 2022, through a partnership with the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), Mars Food & Nutrition supported 21 agricultural cooperatives in Cambodia. This participation has been instrumental for Sophea, as it ensures a stable market for his rice seeds. By promoting sustainable rice production and enhancing business management performance among farmer cooperatives following the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation, these initiatives have enabled farmers to adopt more sustainable practices and improve their overall efficiency and productivity. With ongoing support from Mars and the launch of new projects, both existing and new farmers will cultivate additional varieties of jasmine rice that meet the brand’s quality standards and SRP criteria. This forward-thinking approach empowers farmers to make informed decisions, leveraging market dynamics and diversifying their offerings to meet the needs of a global customer base.

As a true agripreneur, Sophea’s success story serves as an inspiration to the community, showcasing that success in agriculture is possible with dedication, innovation, and collaboration. While challenges remain, Sophea firmly believes that many opportunities exist for those willing to invest effort and dedication in their land. Through his unwavering spirit, Sophea cultivates not only crops but also hope, ensuring a bountiful harvest for generations to come.

If you are an SRP member and would like to submit a farmer experience for our “Perspectives from the Fields” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these stories on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

In our series “Perspectives from the Fields,” we share stories of SRP rice farmers our members work with. We want to showcase their stories to encourage more actors in the global rice sector to join our mission, motivate more farmers to switch to sustainable rice cultivation, and inspire more consumers to buy sustainable rice.

Empowering Vietnamese Farmers Through Sustainable Rice Practices

This story highlights Pham Van Tro, a farmer from Vietnam who has adopted the SRP Standard through Rikolto’s “Building Sustainable Rice Value Chains for Smallholder Farmers in Dong Thap” project. The project aims to develop a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient rice sector in Vietnam. By doing so, it seeks to ensure a living income for producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, including women and youth, while also increasing the availability of sustainable food products in the market. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dong Thap DARD).

Name of farmer: Pham Van Tro

Project participated in: Rikolto’s “Building Sustainable Rice Value Chains for Smallholder Farmers In Dong Thap Program”, 2022-2026

Country: Vietnam
Story submitted by: Rikolto

Adopting Climate-Smart Practices: Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Rice is crucial to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, with most of the country’s rice production concentrated in the Mekong Delta. However, rice farming is facing serious challenges due to climate change, and the misuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which are exacerbating environmental degradation. In response, many farmers in Dong Thap Province have adopted the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation. This standard incentivizes farmers to adopt proven climate-smart and sustainable farming practices.

Located alongside the Hau River, a branch of the Mekong River, Binh Thanh village is home to more than 1,800 farming households, most of whom cultivate rice on approximately 1,200 hectares.

Since 2018, Rikolto has been supporting the Binh Thanh Agricultural Service Cooperative (Binh Thanh Cooperative) and 14 other cooperatives in Dong Thap Province to develop a sustainable rice value chain, funded by the Belgian Directorate General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD).

Meet Pham Van Tro from Dong Thap Province

Pham Van Tro, a 77-year-old farmer from Binh Thanh Village, Lap Vo District, Dong Thap Province, has adopted the SRP Standard on his 4 hectares of rice field to increase the value of his crop.

Since its adoption, Pham Van Tro only uses about 60 kilograms of rice seed per hectare, down from previously 200 kilograms. He has also reduced pesticide spraying from six to four times per cycle.

“Thanks to these changes, I can save about VND2.9 million (approximately EUR 105) per hectare in the production cost,” said Tro. “It helps me increase my profits by saving input costs, reducing negative impacts to the land and soil, and also protecting my health”.

District Technicians and Farmers Collaborate on SRP Compliance

District technicians often work with Tro and other farmers in the village to ensure they meet the SRP Standard. Tro keeps regular field records to check production costs and profits and to control his farming process. After harvesting, he does not burn the straw but uses it as a by-product. He also disposes of pesticide bottles at Rikolto’s supported waste collection points, which are easily found in the common areas of the rice fields.

Securing Stable Markets: Promoting Sustainable Rice Practices Through Cooperative Partnerships

The Binh Thanh Cooperative has also signed contracts with traders and companies to ensure regular purchases of SRP-compliant rice from farmers at stable and reasonable prices.

“We are trying to keep the purchase of rice from farmers stable. In this way, we hope to raise awareness among farmers about the importance of a sustainable rice value chain. By understanding the benefits of applying the SRP Standard, farmers will actively contribute to the development of social behavior related to environmental protection and community health”, said Cao Tho Truong, Vice Director of Binh Thanh Cooperative.

Paving the Way for Verification: Advancing SRP Standards in Binh Thanh Cooperative

Since 2023, 180 farmer members of Binh Thanh Cooperative have adopted the SRP Standard on a total area of 188 hectares. All have achieved a score of 80+ in the SRP Standard, with increased sustainability indices in areas such as climate change and resource management. By 2024, Rikolto is supporting Binh Thanh Cooperative to achieve the SRP Standard third-party verification on 50 selected hectares, with the guidance from the Asian Organic Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AOI Institute). The Cooperative has received SRP training, set up an internal quality management system (IMS) team to strictly follow SRP requirements, improved the SRP processing mill, and promoted SRP product linkages.

Being one of the selected members striving for SRP verification, Tro affirmed: “I am happy to apply the SRP Standard in rice cultivation. I have changed my way of thinking about sustainable rice production and shared its benefits with my family members and neighbor’s. I hope to do more to raise public awareness about environmental protection while sustainably improving rice quality. That’s the most meaningful part of my work as a farmer”.

If you are an SRP member and would like to submit a farmer experience for our “Perspectives from the Fields” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these stories on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

Together, we are forging a path toward a more sustainable future for rice production, and we are excited to have them join us on this journey.

Learn more about our new members from their profiles below:

Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co., Ltd

Established in 2011, Amru Rice excels in producing, processing, and exporting rice that meets international certification standards. Committed to strong ethical values and corporate social responsibility, Amru Rice embraces sustainable practices by investing in farmers and providing them with education and financial security.

Working closely with about 100 Agricultural Cooperatives and over 16,000 smallholder farmers across Cambodia, Amru Rice’s contract farming model significantly improves farmers’ livelihoods and fosters positive social change in their communities. With a capacity to dry, mill, and export over 100,000 tons per year, our activities are guided by climate change readiness—from sustainable and organic cultivation practices to energy usage and efficient delivery of products to reduce the carbon impact of our business.

Amru Rice is certified by BRCGS, BSCI, and SMETA/SEDEX. Our products are certified by SRP, Fair Trade, Organic EOS, US NOP, and JAS standards.

Learn more at www.amrurice.com.kh.

Battambang Union of Agricultural Cooperative (BUAC)

Battambang Union of Agricultural Cooperative (BUAC) was founded and officially registered by the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on 5 October 2017. This farmer organization represents 11 Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs), with a primary focus on rice farming and the establishment of crucial market linkages. Covering approximately 12,000 hectares of paddy fields in southern Battambang province, BUAC is committed to soil fertility preservation and sustainable rice production.

In 2024, BUAC, under an MOU between HARVESTIII, with additional technical support from WAT4CAM/TA-AGRI and AMRU will continue its mission.

BUAC is the very first farmer organization to join SRP as a member!

Rana Rice Mills

A distinguished name in the aromatic Basmati rice industry, Rana Rice Mills has evolved from a small unit processing 2 tons of paddy per hour to two advanced 2020 Satake units processing 18 tons per hour, primarily for export since 1998. Annually, they mill 70,000 tons of rice/paddy.

Rana Rice Mills is committed to rigorous quality control, global food safety standards, product traceability, and customer satisfaction. They are dedicated to developing advanced technology and resources, providing equal employment opportunities, and making a significant impact on the international rice market.

Learn more at www.ranaricemills.com.

SAMAN

Founded in 1942, SAMAN is a pioneer in buying, milling, and marketing rice, with a strong emphasis on rice export. As the largest company in Uruguay’s rice sector, Saman receives rice from approximately 70,000 hectares, solidifying its position as a key player in the country’s agricultural landscape.

At the heart of SAMAN’s mission is the cultivation of long-term relationships with its suppliers, the rice producers. Through various means such as technical advice, financial assistance, and legal support, Saman fosters a collaborative environment aimed at mutual growth and success.

Learn more at https://www.saman.uy/.

Shafi Agro Pvt. Ltd

As part of the Shafi Group, Shafi Agro boasts over 60 years dedication, excellence, and prestige in the export market. The Shafi Group has consistently set high standards for quality and innovation, establishing itself as one of Pakistan’s most respected family-owned businesses.

Shafi Agro is committed to delivering high-quality rice to both local and international markets. Their mission is to supply the world with the unparalleled taste of original basmati rice while adhering to the highest standards of quality, purity, and sustainability.

Their vision extends beyond just providing superior rice; they aim to elevate the rice farming industry in Pakistan. By working closely with farmers, Shafi Agro strives to understand their challenges and develop solutions that benefit the entire agricultural ecosystem. Their foremost goal is to empower farmers, set new standards for sustainable farming, and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Learn more at www.shafiagro.com.

SRI-2030 (Homeland Conservation Trust)

SRI-2030 is dedicated to rapidly expanding the adoption of productive and sustainable rice practices for the benefit of people and the environment. They coordinate the Sustainable Rice NDC Alliance, which unites countries with rice-related Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments to boost ambition for future NDC iterations. This Alliance fosters knowledge sharing and provides support to help nations meet their NDC commitments and align with their National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS) production objectives.

By engaging with international organizations and institutions, SRI-2030 assists in developing high-level strategies for disseminating yield-increasing sustainable rice practices.

Learn more about SRI-2030 at www.sri-2030.org.

Vinacontrol Ho Chi Minh City Inspection Company Limited

Vinacontrol is recognized for its comprehensive assessment services across diverse fields, meeting the standards of international markets. Their inspection certificates are trusted by both national and international customers, facilitating various trade activities and managerial matters.

Now, Vinacontrol is eager to leverage its expertise in testing, inspection, and certification to drive sustainable development and environmental protection. They aspire to guide more farmers and businesses towards embracing new standards in the rice industry, aligning with SRP’s mission.

Vinacontrol is also in the process of becoming a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), further enhancing their capabilities to support the rice industry’s sustainability goals.

Learn more about Vinacontrol: www.vinacontrol.com.vn.

SRP is excited to introduce our new initiative “Perspectives from the Fields”, where we share stories of SRP rice farmers our members work with. We want to showcase their stories to encourage more actors in the global rice sector to join our mission, motivate more farmers to switch to sustainable rice cultivation, and inspire more consumers to choose sustainable rice.

Starting our Series: Featuring SRP Partner Mars Food & Nutrition and Rice Farmer Jularak

We kick-start our new series with Jularak, a farmer from Thailand who was introduced to sustainable rice practices through the Sustainable Agriculture and Rice Initiative (SARI) program, facilitated by the German development cooperation (GIZ) and funded by Mars Food & Nutrition. Jularak’s journey embodies the transformative power of sustainable agriculture in improving livelihoods and preserving our environment.

Name of farmer: Jularak

Project participated in: Sustainable Agriculture and Rice Initiative (SARI)

Country: Thailand
Story submitted by: Mars Food & Nutrition

Meet rice farmer Jularak: reviving rural farming through sustainable rice production

At Mars Food & Nutrition, we believe healthy food shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet and should be sustainably produced for future generations. We are proud to share the inspiring story of Jularak, a rural Thai farmer and mother of two who has been dedicated to reviving rice farming by embracing sustainability principles. By turning the tide of economic outmigration and embracing the potential of sustainable farming, Jularak is breathing new life into her village and offering hope for future generations.

At the age of 17, Jularak left her village in pursuit of a better life in the city. However, the allure of urban promise soon faded, and Jularak found herself yearning for simplicity and connection to the land she left behind.

Recognizing the resilience and debt-free lifestyle of her mother, a rice farmer, Jularak made the life-changing decision to return to her village. With the support of her parents, she embarked on a journey to rediscover the art of rice farming, learning valuable lessons passed down through generations and learning new practices for the future.

In 2019, she was introduced to the Sustainable Agriculture and Rice Initiative (SARI) program, facilitated by the German development cooperation (GIZ) and funded by Mars Food & Nutrition. Through SARI, Jularak gained access to resources and training in sustainable rice production techniques aligned with the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard. The program emphasizes climate-smart practices that enhance efficiency in fertilizer and water usage, discourage straw burning, promote organic fertilizer utilization, and encourage farmers to maintain a comprehensive record book to track expenses and income.

The implementation of these practices brought about visible results. Prior to joining the program, Jularak’s land yielded approximately 1500 kilograms of rice per hectare. Today, just a few years later, she achieves an impressive 3600 kilograms per hectare. Her high-quality rice, nurtured through sustainable farming practices, proudly makes its way into Ben’s Original® products across the globe.

According to the SARI project results (2023), increased yields and income is not the only result. In general, the 1200 farmers who participate in the project in the province have been able to achieve 56% water reduction in rice farming. Moreover, more than 70% of the rice farmers in the program are women, highlighting the significant impact of empowering women in sustainable agriculture.

Inspired by the potential of sustainable agriculture to not only provide a livelihood with greater income but also preserve the environment and support her community, Jularak is determined to continuously explore the possibility of reviving rural farming in her village. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, she is actively empowering fellow female farmers to embrace sustainable practices and pursue careers in agriculture. “My dream is to inspire more women to follow in my footsteps and contribute to the agriculture sector. With the income from increasing yields, I can support my children with better health and education. I encourage them to also embrace rice farming and secure a prosperous future for themselves,” says Jularak. The dedication and determination of women like Jularak who are leading the way in sustainable agriculture remind us of the transformative power of women in building a better world for generations to come.

If you are an SRP member and would like to submit a farmer experience for our “Perspectives from the Fields” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these stories on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

Together, we’re charting a course toward a more sustainable future for rice production, and we are thrilled to have them onboard for this exciting journey.

Learn more about our new members from their profiles below:

Diageo Great Britain Limited

Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, across spirits and beer, a business built on the principles and foundations laid by the giants of the industry. With over 200 brands sold in 180 countries, their portfolio has remarkable breadth.

To maintain their position as leaders in the alcoholic beverage market, they always invest in the future and are mindful of the impact they have. Through the company sustainability commitments under its Spirit of Progress 2030 goals, Diageo is committed to reduce its global GHG emissions and build resilience across its smallholder farmers value chains. Diageo is committed to making significant contributions to system-change to advance rural community development and climate-smart agriculture in rice value chains, in alignment with the goals of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).

For more information about Diageo, visit www.diageo.com.

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 60 countries, and works with a wide range of partners. It is a research center of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network.

IFPRI envisions several ways in which their expertise, particularly from the HarvestPlus program, can complement and enrich the goals of SRP.

Learn more about IFPRI at www.ifpri.org.

Jumbo Supermarkets

Jumbo Supermarkets currently operates more than 700 stores throughout the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium. It is part of Koninklijke Jumbo Food Groep. The group is actively expanding its omnichannel presence through Jumbo Supermarkets, Jumbo Foodmarket, and Jumbo.com, primarily focusing on the Netherlands and, since 2019, also in Belgium. Their overarching goal remains consistent: to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.

In addition to Jumbo Supermarkets, Koninklijke Jumbo Food Groep owns La Place, a food service brand present in the Netherlands and seven other countries. They also possess Smulweb, a nutrition and recipe platform.

Learn more at: www.jumbo.com.

Kaufland Stiftung & Co. KG

The national companies in the Kaufland Group are large-scale food retailers – having over 1,400 hypermarkets as well as 143,000 employees in eight European countries. With on average 30,000 items in Germany and 17,000 in other countries, the company offers a wide assortment of food and everyday products. In the 2021 fiscal year, the range of products available was expanded with the introduction of the “Kaufland.de” online marketplace. On this site, customers can find more than 40 million products available from over 8,000 online sellers.

Taking action makes the difference: The full-range retailer is committed to food from sustainable production and to comprehensive environmental, climate and species protection.

Learn more at: www.kaufland.com.

OneCert International Private Limited

OneCert International Pvt Ltd is continuously working towards a better future with improved global supply of affordable rice, improved livelihoods for rice producers and reduced environmental impact of rice production.

The company is committed to work towards this goal in its best capacities and plans to move ahead with working towards sustainable and environmentally friendly certification and verification programs. For more details about OneCert, please visit: https://onecertinternational.com/.

Sarwar Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Sarwar Foods (Pvt) Ltd. represents quality, commitment, and global rice production and distribution. With a rich heritage and a legacy of excellence, their management’s dedication and workforce’s sincerity have remained steadfast from the beginning. The company received the top exporters of rice award three times in a row shortly after inception.

As part of an established group of rice millers with over a decade of experience and strengthened by strong financial backing and extensive global connections, Sarwar Foods (Pvt) Ltd. is equipped to serve diverse markets.

Investing in state-of-the-art machinery and facilities, the company upholds stringent international standards, ensuring high quality with a zero-tolerance policy for compromise.

Learn more at www.sarwar-foods.com.

Solidaridad Network Asia Limited

Solidaridad Network Asia Limited is operating in eight Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia), as part of its Global Network, to develop scalable and economically sustainable solutions in agriculture and industrial landscape. We have been promoting sustainability to support people, planet and profits in collaboration with the governments, businesses and the community. We enable farmers and workers to earn a living income, shape their own future, and produce in balance with nature by working throughout the whole supply chain to make sustainability the norm.

Learn more at www.solidaridadnetwork.org/asia/.

SRP, together with our members and partners, is dedicated to transforming the global rice sector throughout the entire value chain for a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable future. In this interview series we ask SRP members and partners why they joined SRP, the main trends and developments they see in the industry, as well as their vision for the sector.

In this interview, William McCook, Chief Executive at Orillion, discusses the company’s commitment to global pest control, emphasizing sustainability and introducing an environmentally safe rodenticide to address yield loss caused by rats. The conversation explores Orillion’s collaboration with the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and their vision for landscape-scale rat control to enhance rice yields by 2025.

Company Name: Orillion

Contact: William McCook, Chief Executive

Country: New Zealand
Countries of operation: Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

SRP member since: 2019

Primary Activity: Supplier of pest control solutions

If you are an SRP member and would like to be part of our “Meet our Members” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these interviews on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

Learn more about our new members from their profiles below:

Bangsue Chia Meng Rice Mill Co. Ltd

Established in 1937, Bangsue Chia Meng Rice Mill Co Ltd is dedicated to providing premium, authentic rice to clients in both domestic and international markets. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of hygiene and quality by implementing the SRP system. Our focus on sustainability not only ensures better-quality, higher-yield harvests but also reduces costs for farmers. We purchase paddy from farmers at fair prices, promoting their financial sustainability and overall well-being. Visit their website: www.bscm.co.th/en/.

CarbonFarm Technology

CarbonFarm Technology is a pioneering climate tech company dedicated to advancing sustainability in rice cultivation through innovative Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) solutions driven by satellite data. Our data-driven insights empower rice growers, agricultural stakeholders, policymakers, and SRP network members to make informed decisions, optimizing resource use, reducing environmental impact, and boosting crop yields. We’re committed to reducing the environmental footprint of rice farming, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting transparency and accountability throughout the rice supply chain by delivering reliable, verifiable data on sustainable rice production. As we continuously adapt to SRP standards, we ensure that sustainable practices resonate across the entire supply chain, working towards a greener, more sustainable future for rice cultivation. Visit their website: https://carbonfarm.tech/.

Farm Angel Pte. Ltd.

Farm Angel empowers farmers by democratizing information about agricultural inputs, yields, and markets. Farm Angel provides a complete solution to smallholder farmers, Businesses and Agripreneurs. Farm Angel is dis intermediating the rice value chain by reducing middlemen and bringing consumers closer to buying from the farm gate. All our farmers are being t rained by SRP certified trainers. We intend to onboard at least 10,000 farmers to follow the SRP standards annually. Visit their website: www.farm-angel.com.

SRP, together with our members and partners, is dedicated to transforming the global rice sector throughout the entire value chain for a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable future. In this interview series we ask SRP members and partners why they joined SRP, the main trends and developments they see in the industry, as well as their vision for the sector.

In this interview Samee Ullah Naeem, Chief Executive Officer at Atlas Foods (Pvt) Ltd shared with us how the company focuses on sustainability, their projects and activities related to SRP.

Company Name: Atlas Foods (Pvt) Ltd

Contact: Samee Ullah Naeem, Chief Executive Officer

Country: Pakistan

SRP member since: 2019

Primary Activity: Miller, Exporter

If you are an SRP member and would like to be part of our “Meet our Members” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these interviews on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

SRP, together with our members and partners, is dedicated to transforming the global rice sector throughout the entire value chain for a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable future. In this interview series we ask SRP members and partners why they joined SRP, the main trends and developments they see in the industry, as well as their vision for the sector.

In this interview Vikram Mehla, Head of Agribusiness, Haryana (India) from LT Foods Limited shared with us the company’s vision and mission, how LT Foods Limited focuses on sustainable development and talks about their projects and activities related to SRP.

Company Name: LT Foods Limited

Contact: Vikram Mehla; Head – Agribusiness, Haryana (India)

Country: India

SRP member since: 2017

Primary Activity: Engaged in specialty rice and rice products business across the globe.

If you are an SRP member and would like to be part of our “Meet our Members” series, please contact Roong Tepkaew at roong.tepkaew@sustainablerice.org. We share these interviews on our website, in our newsletter and on our social media channels.

Learn more about our new members from their profiles below:

BENEO-Remy

Beneo-Remy is part of Südzucker Group.

Out of rice and rice brokens we produce rice starch, rice proteins and rice flour. We provide nutritional and technical solutions for our customers with ingredients from nature backed up by science: clean label (allergen free), texturizing (creaminess and crispiness, enhanced viscosity), fat reduction, natural whiteness and tasty dairy substitution.

We are committed to being socially responsible towards our employees, suppliers, customers and business partners.

We consistently aim that our activities along the entire value chain are sustainable – from cultivation to development and production, right through the finished product. This includes environmental conscientious use of natural resources, efficiently utilizing our raw materials, reducing our emissions and taking into consideration the interest of all key stakeholders of Südzucker.

CoreCarbonX Solutions Private Limited

Set up in 2008, Core CarbonX Solutions Private Limited is a climate and sustainability consulting firm, serving clients in more than 12 countries. We help companies and institutions earn and maintain trust, innovate and lead the way to a just and sustainable future.

Our focus is to train farmers in water management best practices and equip them with the tools required to accurately measure and regulate the water levels in paddy fields. These practices are expected to reduce flooding, minimize organic decomposition and decrease methane emissions while maintaining crop yield. CoreCarbonX will work with the farmers in developing these project activities under carbon markets and monetize the carbon revenue for farmers

The project accomplishes six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including a reduction in water usage of 15% to 25%, providing economic gains to participating farmers, strengthening local entrepreneurial networks, and reducing fuel consumption.

Fatima Rice Mills Limited

Fatima Rice Mills (Pvt.) Ltd. is the largest exporter of Brown Rice and received the award for the top exporter of brown rice this year. We are a BRC and Sedex certified company.

We deal in basmati and non basmati rice. Fatima Rice Mills Limited & Processing Mills achieving the targets of successful business enabling to enhance the business and has grown into an organization which is recognized for its remarkable performance and supply of high quality rice to customers.

Make relations with farmers is our main aim. We are trying at our best level to make them educate and trying to guide them in the modern way so that they can understand the modern ways of cultivating. It makes the working environment better and farmers can perform better and quick by knowing modern methods. Our pride triumph is to engage at least 100 small farmers in our supply network, We are fostering them to improve their agricultural practices, we are educating them on new methodology of farming, guarantees the best yield of quality paddy to excellent milling results and thus enables them to become more competitive. By doing this, we will improve the quality of their livelihoods.

We have made the partnership with 30 large farmers, to provide them the inputs, like land leveling, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and technical support well in time. After the growing of crop, we provide them all facilities such as transportation, labor in reaching from fields to our mill.

International Fertilizer Industry Association

Hla Taw Land Co. Ltd was established in 2012 at Wetlatt township and provides rice milling services for local farmers in the Shwebo region. With a milling capacity of 26000 MT per year, it is one of the largest rice mills with good post-harvest facilities in the region. The primary focus of the company is to upgrade the quality of rice as well as to ensure food safety.

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

At Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. we have been working to add value to the agricultural value chain with the commitment to grow and attain water, food and energy security through optimum and improved usage of resources. The organization’s mission “leave the work better than we found it” was set four decades ago. All our agri-food solutions are in harmony with the company’s mission. Some of the key solutions/innovations we have pioneered are mentioned as follows:

• Ag-tech and integrated irrigation solutions
• Water management
• Water conveyance
• Modern micro-irrigation solutions
• Field and laboratory level R&D solutions for growing more with less resources
• Hi-Tech agriculture solutions
• Support to farmers – all crops with a special focus on growing rice with drip technology
• Buy back from farmers
• Food processing and value addition
• Solar energy
• Bio-energy (waste to energy) solutions
• Agriculture education and dissemination

Landmark Agri Exports Private Limited

Landmark Agri is one of the fastest growing company in Basmati Rice sector. We are Unique in our offerings with end-to-end solutions and services for the Basmati Growers & Exporters, targeting GLOBAL markets. As we work to develop a sustainable food value chain, we are committed to create value for our Growers, customers, shareholders, and society at large. To achieve our ambition, we have taken lead in developing digital farming tools, solutions and work closely with partners to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture and food production. Landmark Agri was founded in 2018, to address the critical gap in agricultural food production where the least importance is given to the most important aspect i.e “Food Safety”. Our vision is to make “Food Safety, a Reality” on every acre of land we work with. We started our journey with Basmati rice as Basmati is the single largest Agri commodity exported from India. Landmark Agri has developed the expertise in the implementation of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), GLBOALG.A.P. and IndG.A.P. Currently we are operating in north and central India – UP and Madhya Pradesh with 70000+ acres. In a period of Five years, we have collaborated with more than 12000 farmers. We signed up MoUs with leading Agri input providers, Rice Exporters, and Agriculture University (as a knowledge partner). Our services are designed to benefit multiple stakeholders including farmers. At the same time, we aim to create value through innovation, growth, and high earning power for all our partners. We aspire to significantly contribute towards exports of Indian Basmati by addressing the key challenges in the production of export compliant Basmati rice. Next step will be to offer this expertise and experience for some of the leading exportable fruits and vegetables.

Lok Sanjh Foundation

Lok Sanjh is a not-for-profit, rights based organization working since 1996 with rural communities particularly with farmers in Pakistan. A group of farmers and rural activists registered Lok Sanjh to make the farming communities aware of their rights and then enable them to make struggle for the protection of farmers’ rights. Lok Sanjh aims at development and dissemination of pro- people, pro-women rural technologies for expanding choices for rural communities and augmenting rural incomes without harming social norms, local traditions and community food production systems. The organization itself designs, develops, implements and disseminates the development interventions with a focus on research and advocacy on the issues relevant to communities particularly in the fields of biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and ecological farming. Lok Sanjh has been promoting the agenda of sustainable development since its inception through the creation and strengthening of local institutions to inculcate the democratic values at grass roots level; involving communities in the decision making processes through decentralized and boom up planning with the active participation of marginalized particularly the small farmers and women; and enhancing the capacity of rural communities to plan, implement, manage and pursue their development needs efficiently and effectively.

Meskay & Femtee Trading Company (Pvt.) Ltd.

Meskay & Femtee Trading Company (Pvt) Company (MFTC) is a fully integrated rice business. With our comprehensive operations and supply chain management model, we have developed a reliable service delivery network across all stages of production and distribution.

Besides attaining supply chain excellence, MFTC has always placed great emphasis on sustainable rice production in Pakistan. With our concerted supply chain efforts extending from extension services through processing and trade of rice, we aim to deliver the best quality of grains while ensuring minimum negative impact on environment and maximum positive impact on society.

Riso Scotti S.p.A.

Riso Scotti is an Italian food factory involved in the Italian rice supply chain as buyer of paddy rice, used to produce white and parboiled rice, vegetal drinks, rice cakes and ready to eat microwave products.

Finished products are put on the market with Riso Scotti brand (Italian market leader for retail and food service) and private label brands but also distributed in the B2B market

We designed the value chain project in order to encourage sustainability of the Italian rice sector (breeders, farmers, agronomists are involved).

Supreme Rice Mills (Private) Limited

Supreme Rice Mills has been in the rice business for more than three decades now. However, for some time now, we have been pushing towards adopting more sustainable mechanisms in our business model. Getting SRP membership is part of that process and we are proud to say that we have a good team in place, work, and farming community to make this venture successful.

Straw Innovations Ltd.

One of the major obstacles to achieving sustainable rice production is the management of the rice straw. My company, Straw Innovations, has been researching and developing leading solutions to this at our test facility in the Philippines. We have reduced the cost of gathering and removing the straw from the paddy fields and have developed technologies that can make use of it for bioenergy to the benefit of local communities and the environment, specifically for powering the postharvest processes of drying and milling the rice.

VGREEN – Centre of Excellence on environmental strategy for GREEN business

Vgreen is established as an educational research center, aiming to provide academic services for both governmental organization and private companies to move towards sustainability. The core competencies is based on LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and it’s application for sustainability including trade & environment. Attached to Kasetsart University (Agricultural university of Thailand), vgreen has been working intensively in the agri-food industry. Vgreen has previous experiences working on several certification schemes including GLOBALGAP, EU Flower, Carbon Footprint. In this connection, Vgreen is selected by ARDA (Agricultural Research Funding Agency of Thailand) to take the lead in SRP in terms of capacity building of local rice farmers, implementation, certification along the whole value chain. Vgreen is involved in the national chapter activities especially the benchmarking of Thai sustainable rice standard with Global SRP. Through a wide connection with private companies in rice industry, it is expected that Vgreen could potentially promote the wider application of SRP.