Improvement of WASH facilities at grower in Peru
Together with our Peruvian grower Agrícola Cerro Prieto (ACP), we are working on a project focused on access to clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene (WASH) in the field. Together with ACP, and with support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), we are taking concrete steps to further improve the well-being of employees in our value chain. We have now compiled the first insights from this initiative into a case study, through which Nature’s Pride aims to share insights within the sector.
WASH is an important component within our pillar Care for People. We see this as an opportunity to contribute to better working conditions and to mitigate risks in the value chain, with a direct impact on the health and dignity of employees.
The project at ACP started with an assessment of the existing WASH facilities, carried out by a local advisory organisation with expertise in WASH, Hidrika. This assessment showed that the WASH services at ACP were already well organised and performing strongly, but that there were also opportunities for improvement. These included relatively small but important adjustments, such as repairing and better maintaining locks on toilet doors.
Equally important was the focus on awareness and behaviour. Together with ACP, we developed a WASH ambassador approach: 30 employees received training from WASH experts and now serve as points of contact for their colleagues. Through this combination of practical improvements and ownership in the field, WASH has become more visible within ACP and more firmly embedded in daily practice.
The collaboration with RVO demonstrates how valuable public and private collaboration can be in carefully addressing identified risks in the value chain. We have captured the first insights from this project in a case study so that we can share our knowledge and, together with partners, continue improving working conditions in our value chain.
Case study WASH