1001 Organic - Growing food on Pemba for people and the planet

PEMBA IS A MAGICAL GREEN ISLAND AND WE HOPE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY

Like the Arabian fairy tale that inspired its name, 1001 Organic has numerous stories to tell. Its cloves, pepper, cardamom, vanilla, and cinnamon are grown in the fertile soil of the ‘Green Island’ Pemba, which has had a pivotal position in the global spice trade going back centuries. Using sustainable farming methods, the social enterprise aims to preserve the island’s vaunted natural habitats, support local communities and produce some very special spices. Here managing director Raphael Flury reveals the ‘richer, more rewarding way of growing for people and planet’.

(Q) Which spices do you grow on Pemba? 1001 Organic works with what nature has to offer us. We marry what is good for the people with what is best for the planet. Through sustainable forest farming with deep respect for nature, we are able to gently produce cloves, pepper, cardamom, vanilla, and cinnamon of unrivalled quality.

(Q) Pemba cloves are famous the world over – what is it about the fertile soils Pemba growing conditions that give these spices a special quality? Pemba is a magical green island and we hope to keep it that way. 1001 Organic is committed to agroforestry, nurturing our spices in the natural habitat of a forest instead of planting them in fields. The results are outstanding for both flavour and the environment. With a constant and equitable sourcing from the wild tropical forests, we can motivate farmer communities to keep the forests and its biodiversity healthy and avoid deforestation. Together we combine local traditional methods with diversity enhancing technology, allowing a richer, more rewarding way of growing for people and planet. This virtuous circle that benefits all is the secret of Zanzibar’s spice quality.

(Q) Why do you focus your work with smallholder farmers on the island? The past 500 years, the spice value chain was mainly benefiting western spice traders and processors. We at 1001 Organic believe that it is time to disrupt the traditional spice industry and rearrange its value chain.1001 Organic was established as a social enterprise that applies commercial strategies to improve the financial, social and environmental well-being of its partner farmers. The idea is to create additional value for the rural farmer communities, protect Zanzibar’s biodiversity and produce incredible flavourful spices. We believe that social impact is most effective on smallholder level hence we work with contract farmers.

(Q) How does the business model of 1001 Organic benefit the smallholder spice farmer on Pemba? 1001 Organic is a forest-to-consumer brand that manages the entire value chain from the forests into our spice shops in Zanzibar or online in Europe. By avoiding all middlemen, our cooperatives can benefit from better prices, complementary trainings, certifications, infrastructure, fixed prices, purchase guarantees and much more. We are a longterm partner to our farmers. Also, we keep shifting more value addition from Europe to Tanzania, which should benefit the overall economy.

(Q) Has your relationship with the Pemba spice farmers been a learning process on both sides. What do you think they have learned from you and what have you learned from them? One hundred per cent! Our partner farmers are deeply rooted with nature and their knowledge is unbelievable. They are well balanced and peaceful personalities. On the other hand, I try to teach our farmers some international principles that are crucial for long-term partnerships and development. Also, I try to explain the mistakes we made the last 30 years in Europe. It would sadden me repeating old mistakes like the pollution of drinking water.

(Q) You have enabled direct sales of fresh Zanzibar spices to Europe. For this the spices are certified according to European standards. What does this involve? The European guidelines are becoming increasingly strict. We are certified in organic and social standards which requires never-ending documentation work.

(Q) Pemba is known as the Green Island and has some of the last remaining indigenous forest on the archipelago. How motivated are you that the farms you work with support and protect the fragile ecosystem here? The protection of the natural forests and biodiversity is one of the main pillars of our social enterprise and our clients. Together we try to apply the best possible mode of operation to keep the forests healthy and the farmers happy. Education is a key strategy.

(Q) I’m sure you have visited Pemba many times during the cloves harvesting period of September to November. Is it true the scent of drying cloves fragrances the whole island during this time? It is true. Once you leave your airplane you can sent the sweet fragrance in the air. You will find cloves literally everywhere.

(Q) You have a store in Stone Town, but do you also have outlets on Pemba selling your spices? Our organic concept stores ‘1001 Organic Spicery’ are based in Stone Town and Nungwi [on Unguja]. Beyond our flagship stores, you can find our retail spices in many boutique shops in Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland.

(Q) Has the only untouched forest left on archipelago is it very important to you that the farms support and sustain the ecosystem of the island? Zanzibar’s real estate developments are growing very fast. I am okay with that but what is a nice house without fresh air, healthy food, a green garden, the sound of birds, clean drinking water or a relaxing forest walk? It will be a very empty house. Let us focus on sustainability and protect the biodiversity and all natural resourced too. Together we can!