At a Glance
Location: Colombia
Impact Areas: Labor Inclusion, Environment, Sustainable Income
People Supported:
Small-Scale Farmers, Rural
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2021
Overview
Agrosolidaria sells agricultural and cosmetic products made from sustainably cultivated Amazonia plants. The Amazon rainforest’s immense biome is home to 80,000 plant species that provide immeasurable benefits to our food systems and health, holding keys to new medicine, biocosmetics, natural pigments, natural fragrances, essential oils, and more. According to the United Nations, the demand for environmentally sustainable and biodiversity-based products is expected to triple by 2030.
Agrosolidaria was founded in the Colombian Amazon basin by 12 associations representing more than 250 small farming families. The majority of these families were victims of the Colombian conflict and producers of coca, as the only means of livelihoods. The enterprise has transitioned these farmers to products made from sacha inchi, a plant that produces seeds rich in omega-3, protein, and vitamin E. It operates the largest processing plant in the Colombian Amazon region with the capacity to source and distribute sacha inchi, but also other biodiversity products such as Castaño, Copoazu, Araza, Açai, and Amazonian pineapple, among others.
With the opening of its processing plant in 2017, Agrosolidaria expanded the benefits of biodiverse products to the local market, including local fairs and events, doubling its sales which in turn translated into higher incomes for farmers. The plan was to expand these sales to both national and global markets.
Results & Impact
650
lives improved
60%
farmers supported are women
30%
increase in small-scale farmer income
“Agrosolidaria Florencia works hand in hand with 250 families made up of victims of the Colombian armed conflict and small farmers. We seek to develop sustainable productive practices in our value chains that use non-timber forest products.”
NESsT Investment
Over the course of the pandemic, Agrosolidaria was forced to reduce sales of products through retail channels due to lockdowns. NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship invested in the enterprise at this critical stage to help it launch its e-commerce sales channels.
As part of its e-commerce strategy, Agrosolidaria will support small farmers and members of the cooperative to access higher margins by selling their value-added products directly to consumers. In addition to making its products available online, Agrosolidaria is eager to build commercial partnerships with global cosmetic and food retailers, supermarket chains and grocery stores so that it can make healthy, sustainably-sourced snacks available around the country.
As Agrosolidaria expands the ease at which health-conscious consumers can enjoy their products, NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship will help the enterprise to evolve its branding, communications, and customer experience to become a trusted brand for responsibly sourced Amazonian products that support indigenous communities. It will also support the organization to transition its operational side to meet scaling demands.
