A supplier-led project in Sri Lanka is setting new standards for regenerative practice in spice production.

As climate change reshapes global agriculture, spice production, particularly in tropical regions like Sri Lanka, faces mounting pressure. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, degraded soils, and the overuse of synthetic inputs have left many smallholder farmers vulnerable to both environmental and economic instability. For sectors like spices, where terroir and ecological balance are integral to quality and yield, the urgency to adopt climate-smart, regenerative approaches has never been greater.

This is the context in which The Yogi Foundation, a committed advocate for agricultural transformation, chose to join Verger, a Sri Lankan spice producer, in a major regenerative evolution. The initiative sets a precedent for holistic, scalable transformation within the spice industry.

The Initiative

Launched in 2024, Verger’s project aims to pioneer science-based fertility protocols and sustainable agricultural inputs tailored to the unique conditions of Sri Lanka’s spice-growing regions. At its core, the initiative is designed to provide a practical, replicable toolkit that supports systemic integration into existing farming practices, thereby reducing dependence on external chemical inputs and building long-term ecological resilience.

The objectives are ambitious yet grounded in proven regenerative agriculture principles:

• Enhance soil and plant health
• Optimize water usage
• Minimize pest and disease pressures
• Ensure yield consistency and increase output
• Reduce weed proliferation
• Prioritize long-term carbon sequestration

To accomplish these goals, our strategy incorporates three overlapping pillars: biological input innovation, economic resilience through crop diversification, and data-informed livelihood improvement.
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First is the development of a Biofertilizer System utilizing Effective Microorganisms (EM). Verger is establishing an on-site EM cultivation facility to incorporate these beneficial microbes into compost, fostering healthier rhizosphere biology and enhancing nutrient availability in the soil. This microbial enrichment serves as a cornerstone of a low-input, high-resilience farming model.
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Secondly, over a three-year period, the project will distribute vanilla vines and free-ranging chickens to 50 participating farmers. This dual intervention aims to diversify income streams, which mitigates financial risk from climate- or market-driven shocks, while also integrating synergistic ecological benefits. Vanilla provides a high-value crop alternative, while chickens contribute to pest control and nutrient cycling.
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Lastly, recognizing that ecological sustainability must go hand-in-hand with economic justice, the project allocates $10,000 to conduct a comprehensive study on acceptable living wage income benchmarks for farming communities. This research will inform future decision-making and ensure that regenerative practices uplift farmer livelihoods in tangible, measurable ways.

Long-Term Vision & Impact

Verger has committed to transforming 50% of its organic farmer base into regenerative practitioners by 2025, with a stretch goal of 75% participation by 2028. This transformation is not simply about individual farm outcomes. It reflects a shift toward a new paradigm in spice production: one where environmental stewardship and farmer wellbeing are foundational, not optional.

Early indicators from similar regenerative initiatives globally suggest that such models result in increased biodiversity, greater climate resilience, improved farmer incomes, and enhanced product quality. Verger’s approach – rooted in transparency, collaboration, and scientific rigor – positions this project as a replicable template for sustainable spice sourcing across the Global South.

Why This Matters

Our decision to fund this initiative stems from a belief that the future of agriculture, especially in climate-vulnerable regions, must be regenerative, equitable, and locally adapted. The spice industry, long associated with monocultures and extractive supply chains, has a unique opportunity to redefine its role in climate adaptation and social equity.

By supporting projects like Verger’s, we are telling a new story about agriculture: that we can do away with the traditional extractive model and unlock a new vision of the future where abundance overtakes scarcity. As the effects of climate change continue to accelerate, proactive, science-backed, and community-oriented interventions are essential for ensuring that the world’s most cherished and culturally significant crops continue to thrive.

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