Darpan Pindolia, CEO, Dhow Nature Food: Putting Tanzania on the global organic map

Dhow Nature Foods is an East-African health food brand. The name “Dhow Nature Foods” is inspired by the centuries-old spice trade that centered around Zanzibar, Tanzania. Dhows were the primary mode of transport to bring these exotic spices and foods to the rest of the world.

Darpan Pindolia, Founder & CEO, Dhow Nature Foods says, “We believe in bringing the purest & raw form of African Superfoods and spices to the world. The passion for natural foods that the family has passed down is what has given Dhow such a rich foundation. The wisdom of herbal supplements and superfoods has long been an area of deep interest for the founding family. They believe in consuming only pure and natural foods, which are extremely vital for health.”

Regenerative permaculture

Dhow Nature Foods practises regenerative permaculture on a large scale. “It was very difficult initially to get people to understand what we wanted to achieve as it was quite unconventional. The traditional way of farming is to totally clear farms of trees and then start farming. We have the opposite approach of trying to retain as many trees as possible so we can emulate nature. In fact, our vision is to replant 10x the number of trees we had to clear for farming. We have already achieved 50% of this goal,” informs Darpan.

There is always resistance to new ideas and challenges, however you need to remain persistent, he feels. Also trying to be a world class producer from Tanzania and to establish a reputation for that took some time.

Darpan opines, “It is difficult for our developed market consumers to really visualise that we can have a world class certified processing facility in Tanzania, that at times would out compete even European facilities, hence we initially had to keep customer visits regular in order for them to review and examine the standard that we have set. We are lucky to have now established a reputation for excellence, professionalism and hygiene in our brand and products.”

Most of the company’s products are grown at its permaculture farm where traceability is maintained upto the exact block of land the crop was harvested. Dhow Nature Foods also works with farming communities that grow the product sustainably and organically that meet its standards or it sources the product from the wild.

Total traceability

All sourcing is traced back to the farm and individual level to ensure total transparency for consumer reassurance. Darpan assures, “We are also totally integrated so we control the full processing of the product right upto consumer packaging including for our capsules so we can be 100% assured of the purity and quality of our products which have absolutely nothing added. No additives, no fillers and no bulking agents.”

Dhow Nature Foods offers a range of products from African Superfoods to spices and is now in the process of developing a range of health lattes. The company focuses on vegan, pure and organic products that have a positive impact on consumer health. The company is certified organic by EcoCert to Japanese, American and European standards. The company is also Rainforest Alliance certified which means that it farms in a social and environmentally sustainable way. In addition, it also has Kosher and Halal certifications.

Darpan observes, “This benefits our consumer because the range of certifications gives them transparency and reassurance that the product they use is sustainable, ethical, organic and totally natural.”

The organic market in Tanzania is relatively small but the strategy for the local market is to provide the same world class, organic, export quality product, with no exceptions, at an affordable price to benefit the health of society.

Role model for sustainability

Dhow Nature Foods has set up a strong supply chain base with its own nucleus farm and relationships with local communities for sourcing. Darpan points out, “Luckily, Dar Es Salaam is already a port city with access to most of our major market via sea and air. We also tried to streamline our supply chain to get to our consumers directly so that we make maximise the Impact we make on the environment.”

The company’s major focus is the developed export markets of Australia, Japan, China, Europe, and the USA with an aim of making sure the value addition is done in Tanzania. Dhow Nature Foods has partnered with world class organisations such as the ITC (International Trade Centre – A UN Entity) and the GIZ (German Development Agency) to ensure we add value to the Tanzanian economy through processing.

Darpan outlines his future roadmap, “Our vision is to be an example of sustainable businesses for the future and to be the most recognised African grown superfoods and natural supplement brand. Thus, further, explore the amazing properties of African plants and bring them to the world.”