Firmenich and its local partner Jasmine Concrete have collaborated with Roman jeweler BVLGARI to invest in the “Flower Gems of India” initiative, a flower farming project that’s pilot will create a new jasmine farming model for 100 family-owned farms in two regions of the Indian floricultural area of Tamil Nadu.
The project is being developed over three years between 2019 and 2021. The initiative offers farmers an alternative approach to jasmine production: one that improves farmer’s profits and quality of the flowers, and leverages permaculture principles like soil restoration and water supply management to establish a farming model that will be sustainable for future generations.
Product quality is expected to improve due to a clean and short supply chain, richer organic cultivation, contamination-free farmlands and unprecedented care for each season’s harvest. The project is also committed to improving the social and economic wellbeing of these communities with a fixed price and reduced production costs.
BVLGARI’s values of sustainability, innovation and care for local communities made Flower Gems of India a natural fit for the company and represents its commitment to the highest standards of ethics in sourcing and production.
Now, with the launch of Flower Gems of India, BVLGARI is working at a fundamental level to secure a sustainable future for multiple generations of traditional craftsmen and family farms — and is displaying its commitment to the social and economic wellbeing of its stakeholder communities.
As BVLGARI looks toward the future and weighs its path forward in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global world, it adds a new facet to its long-term strategy for success: fostering sustainable, ethical and responsible practices in every aspect of its business.
“BVLGARI’s quest for the most beautiful and flawless gems of nature lead us to Firmenich and its partner Jasmine Concrete, which produces the world’s highest quality jasmine,” BVLGARI CEO Jean-Christophe Babin said. “It became important to us to contribute to support the communities that enable us to create our masterpiece fragrances, and that we establish a sustainable approach to preserve and support the local economy. Like our jewels, our fragrances are crafted from nature’s finest gems and it is our passion to research, source and, wherever possible, support the production of these extraordinary ingredients.”
“Over the last decade, Firmenich has built the industry’s leading natural sourcing program to develop sustainable economies, preserve biodiversity and support regenerative agriculture,” said Dominique Roques, vice president, naturals, partnerships and communication, Firmenich. “Our NaturalsTogetherTM partners like Jasmine Concrete create real change in their communities by implementing advanced flower cultivation, treating issues such as erosion, nutrient loss, irrigation and composting. We are very proud to be a part of this program.”
“This agreement, jointly governed by BVLGARI, Firmenich and Jasmine Concrete, provides an innovative model to uplift our local communities,” Jasmine Concrete director Raja Palaniswamy. “Our shared business-for-good approach, which builds market security, delivers fixed revenues, and fosters a real sense of pride for farming families, secures local families’ livelihoods. This encourages them to continue their important work, now and for future generations.”
