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Founding members of Pragati, world's first sustainable castor bean program, sign phase 2 commitment
In a three-day tour of the castor farms, demo plots, and local trading markets, the member companies invited a select group of end-users to experience first-hand the impacts of the program in Gujarat, India – home to approximately 70% of the world’s castor crop. During the event, the founding members shared the highlights and achievements of phase 1 of project Pragati (2016-2019):
Participants attend the teaching sessions on sustainable farming.
Members of the castor farming community were interested in examples of end products such as sports shoes and ski boots.
Representatives from BASF Arkema Jayant Agro-Organics and Solidaridad sign the agreement to officially commit to Pragati phase 2.
The founding members also announced the key goals for Pragati phase 2:
After completing a 2016 baseline survey of more than 1,000 castor farmers in Gujarat, India, the Pragati project was launched in May 2016 with the goal of enabling sustainable castor crop production by:
Arkema is a global leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Jayant Agro-Organics Ltd. is a pioneer in castor oil-based chemicals in India.
Solidaridad is an international civil society organization working in the area of sustainable economic development. With more than 50 years of experience in the sustainable agriculture sector, it facilitates the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chains.