Sourcing the sauce

摘要

Tomato sauce is a ubiquitous feature of many Indian dining tables - but few people give much thought as to how the essential ingredient arrives in the bottle. Tomatoes are grown widely in the sub-continent, yet until recently Unilever (which makes the Kissan brand) imported much of its supply. Why? Because uncertainty over quality and availability, along with price volatility, made it impossible to rely on the local crop. This state of affairs hardly fitted with the company's Sustainable Living Plan, which aims to source 100% of all agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020. So Unilever embarked on a new partnership, working with a group of over 500 farmers in the Nasik area of Maharashtra. In return for a range of advice on improving quality and productivity, with tips on using drip irrigation and precise use of pesticides and fertilisers, the farmers undertake to follow sustainable practices, and - assuming the crop meets the right standard - are assured of a purchase deal from Unilever at a guaranteed price.