Sustainability Report 2024
Plantrich: Pioneering Sustainability in Organic Agri-Exports
As a leading player in the organic food and spice export industry, Plantrich remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and community empowerment. This report outlines the significant initiatives undertaken by Plantrich in FY 2024, emphasizing our adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles that drive responsible and sustainable business operations.
Industry Overview
As a leading player in the organic food and spice export industry, Plantrich remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and community empowerment. This report outlines the significant initiatives undertaken by Plantrich in FY 2024, emphasizing our adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles that drive responsible and sustainable business operations.
Sustainability Strategy
Plantrich’s sustainability strategy is embedded in our core operations, focusing on four key pillars:
- Environmental Responsibility
- Social Impact and Labor Standards
- Fair Business Practices and Compliance
- Governance and Accountability
Environmental Initiatives
Plantrich actively works towards reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable agriculture through:
- Eco-Friendly Farming Techniques: Partnering with over 5,000 farmers to implement sustainable and organic farming practices.
- Hubtrace Integration: Utilizing real-time tracking and reporting for farm sustainability through Hubtrace, our digital monitoring platform.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Planting thousands of trees in collaboration with Fair Trade organizations to promote biodiversity and combat climate change.
- Waste Management and Recycling: Maintaining a zero-waste policy with verified licenses from the Pollution Control Board, ensuring effective waste segregation and recycling.
- Environmental Risk Mitigation:Given the vulnerability of our sourcing regions, such as Idukki and Wayanad, we have implemented proactive environmental initiatives, including afforestation of native trees, farmer training in soil conservation, and the use of natural barriers and contour planting. This is an additional sustainability initiatives undertaken by our team to ensure long-term resilience of the landscape and livelihoods of our farmers.
Social Responsibility & Labor Standards
Plantrich actively works towards reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable agriculture through:
- Fair Wages & Compensation: Providing above-industry-standard wages to farmworkers and company employees.
- Workforce Development: Organizing regular skill development workshops for workers and farmers.
- Employee Safety & Well-being: Implementing comprehensive workplace safety measures with frequent training programs.
- Women Empowerment: Actively promoting gender equality and offering leadership opportunities for women across all levels.
- Migrant Labour Children Education: The activities we undertake—such as promoting education for children of migrant workers, conducting community-level awareness programs, and organising training sessions—are voluntary initiatives led by our organisation. The funding for some of these programs is sourced from the Fairtrade (FT) Premium through MASS, and activities are coordinated with local Government school by our MASS HR department.
Fair Business Practices & Compliance
Plantrich upholds the highest ethical and regulatory standards:
- Ethical Sourcing: Our products are certified by Fairtrade (Flocert) and Rainforest Alliance, ensuring complete traceability and ethical sourcing.
- Zero Major Non-Conformities: Our compliance framework was validated during Flocert’s 2023 external audit, with no major non-conformities reported.
- Transparent Sourcing Practices: Ensuring fair pricing and ethical treatment for farmers and suppliers.
- Community Development: Disbursing over USD 3 million in Fairtrade Premiums to farmer cooperatives to support their agricultural projects and infrastructure development.
Governance & Regulatory Compliance
Plantrich adheres to stringent governance policies, ensuring transparency and accountability:
- Full Compliance with Legal Regulations: All operational licenses and regulatory requirements are up-to-date with zero legal issues.
- Real-Time ERP System: Implementing ERP-based tracking for operations and financial transactions.
- Internal & External Audits: Conducting routine audits to maintain financial and operational integrity.
- Stakeholder Reporting: Providing clear and comprehensive reports covering environmental, social, and financial performance.
ESG Performance Metrics (FY 2024)
| Metrics | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Organic Farms Partnered | 5,000+ |
| Trees Planted | 50,000+ |
| Fairtrade Premium Disbursed | 3 million USD |
| Renewable Energy Usage | 60% |
| Carbon Footprint Reduction | 25% |
Future Sustainability Goals
Looking ahead, Plantrich aims to further its commitment to sustainability with the following goals:
- Expand Sustainable Farming Initiatives: Increase farmer partnerships to 7,500 by 2026.
- Enhance Digital Traceability: Strengthen Hubtrace integration for improved real-time data monitoring.
- Increase Renewable Energy Use: Transition to 80% renewable energy by 2026.
- Boost Gender Diversity: Increase women leadership representation to 50% within three years.
- Improve Carbon Reduction Initiatives: Target a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2027.
Conclusion
Plantrich remains dedicated to sustainable business practices, community impact, and ethical sourcing. Our commitment to ESG principles ensures long-term growth while fostering a positive environmental and social legacy. By leveraging technology, innovation, and a responsible business approach, we continue to set industry benchmarks for sustainability in agri-exports.
Together, we build a greener future—one farm at a time.