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Jakarta, Indonesia - The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) recently announced the awarding of six new Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) projects, including the SpiceUp project in Indonesia.

Verstegen Spices & Sauces BV is the lead of the SpiceUp consortium, which is comprised of nine public and private Dutch and Indonesian partners.

The SpiceUp project aims to provide geodata based information services to support 100,000 pepper farmers in three main producing areas in Indonesia, with the aim to increase production, income, food security and reduce their inputs of water, fertilizer and pesticides. Four information services will be provided via an SMS service and Mobile App, including: Drought/Irrigation Advice, Fertilizer Advice, Good Agricultural Practices Advice and Sustainable Tracing System/Market Information. Of the total number of targeted vegetable farmers, it is expected that 50% will be female and 30% young farmers, as they play an active role in various value chain functions

The SpiceUp project is focusing on pepper as agriculture as this was, and still is, a lead sector for economic growth in these areas of Indonesia. Globally, the demand for pepper has also been increasing. Indonesia is the second biggest pepper producer in the worl, however, the productivity of pepper farmers in Indonesia is far below the productivity of Vietnam, which is the number one producing country in the world. Pepper farmers in Indonesia face various challenges related to the weather, water availability and increased incidents of pests and diseases.

'With support of Geodata Verstegen believes that we can make the missing link in our sustainability activities to support stallholder farmers', says Michel Driessen, CEO of Verstegen Spices & Sauces BV in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Additionally, Verstegen is aiming to expand the success of SpiceUp to other products and countries in the future.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The outcomes of the project are expected to contribute to poverty reduction, increased resilience of farmers, particularly related to climate change, and increased income, which is expected to have a positive impact on food security. These outcomes can be linked to the following SDGs: No Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2), Quality Education (4), Gender Equality (5), Clean Water and Sanitation (6), Decent Work and Economic Growth (8), Responsible Consumption and Production (12), Climate Action (13), and Partnerships for the Goals (17).

Background SpiceUp

Verstegen is the lead business entity of the partnership and will become the business owner of the information services developed in the project. ICCO Cooperation in South East Asia is the lead agency of the consortium. In this project, ICCO ROSEA have brought in three Dutch companies as partner of the SpiceUp consortium: Nelen & Schuurman, AKvo, VanderSat and an Indonesian partner: IPB. Verstegen works closely together with PT CAN, the main supplier of white pepper in Bangka and Balittro (research institute). The connection of Verstegen, ICCO and partners within the country have resulted in an experienced and knowledgeable partnership for the project.

About Verstegen Spices & Sauces BV

Verstegen Spices & Sauces BV was founded in 1886. Verstegen is a 100% family-owned business and today, the fourth generation is leading the company. Verstegen stands for creative and surprising innovations in the food sector: industry, food service, fresh distribution and retail consumer market. Quality, food safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility are the core values of Verstegen. Verstegen is one of the founders of the Sustainable Spices Initiatives (SSI). G4AW does match the sustainable sourcing strategy and policy. The target for 2025 is to become the most sustainable spice company in the world.

About Netherlands Space Office - Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) Program

Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) improves food security in developing countries by using satellite data. Netherlands Space Office (NSO) is executing this programme, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.