Engro Foundation, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Winrock International, launched the Seed Purification & Chili Value Chain Improvement Project (CVC) to revive Pakistan’s traditional chili variety, Longi or Dandicut. Renowned for its distinct flavour, pungency, and vibrant red colour, this chili is highly prized by local consumers and the spice industry. The project, focused on the Umerkot and Mirpurkhas districts with its operational hub in Kunri, the “Chili Capital,” successfully concluded in December 2023. By promoting high-quality seeds, the project increased chili production by 10-20% and boosted farmer profitability.
The initiative benefited over 5,000 smallholder farming families, including more than 500 women farmers, across 161 villages. Farmers were trained in Best Crop Management Practices to improve yields and promote sustainable farming methods. The project also developed 25 Seed Entrepreneurs, ensuring the continued availability of quality seeds, and enabled 1,000 farmers to gain knowledge through peer learning, with an additional 1,000 benefiting indirectly from the project’s spillover effects.
The success of the CVC project led to a partnership with National Foods Limited, which signed an MoU with Engro Foundation to integrate trained farmers into their supply chain, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of the initiative. The project is a prime example of how strategic collaboration and community-focused efforts can revitalize traditional crops, enhance farmer livelihoods, and strengthen agricultural value chains.