In response to these challenges, the local Machupe farmers formed cooperatives to help them cope with difficult production seasons and to manage the high costs of agricultural inputs. More than 1,000 indigenous families in the region cultivate lupine, a gluten-free grain that provides essential amino acids, antioxidants and fibre that is appealing to consumers globally, especially those maintaining special diets for diabetes or celiac disease.
NG-Seeds produces, processes and commercializes lupine and its by-products and provides farmers with technology, technical assistance, and access to capital. This enables the producers to integrate into the local and global food value chains and generate stable income sources.
The social enterprise is owned by five Mapuche cooperatives and its partner CGNA, a regional centre for plant and food science and technology that developed the lupine variety.
Programme support
Mapuche farmers live in extreme poverty unable to produce enough income and food to sustain their families. This plight is not unique to Chile, but a story that resonates with farmers around the world. NG-Seeds, in partnership with NESsT and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, will launch multiple marketing initiatives, including outreach to academic institutions, publications, and media to increase awareness about the importance of this heirloom product and the work of the cooperatives.
