Tropical shallot planting material The Dutch applicant De Groot en Slot Allium Beheer B.V. (DGS) is worldwide probably the only company that produces and sells shallot seed. Furthermore, it supports its worldwide clients by providing technical assistance bringing together shallot producers and buyers / users, and by launching commercial activities to promote the use of shallots. DGS has developed shallot seed from local varieties found in Thailand.In the project, DGS will form a joint venture with the Thai company D.A.T.T. Co. Ltd (DATT) to introduce the use of clean shallot bulbs derived from seed to raise the crop yield by 35 to 50%. To accomplish this, the joint venture will set up a Primary Production Site (PPS) and Demonstration and Training Farm (DTF). At the PPS shallot seed supplied by DGS will be used to grow clean shallot bulbs (F0). The F0 bulbs will be propagated by dedicated growers, to produce a clean F1 generation that will then be sold to farmers to produce shallots for consumption (F2). At the DTF, dedicated F0/F1 growers and those that will use the F1 material will be trained to ensure an optimal benefit for using these clean shallots. The trained contract growers (30) and outgrowers (225 during the pilot project) will be stimulated to organise themselves into a cooperation, allowing the joint venture to provide continuous education and materials, including agricultural machines (buy, lease, or rental).Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will implement a CSR policy that is similar to the CSR-policy of DATT. The joint venture will only hire personnel from 18 years and older and all employees will be contracted. The CSR policy will include topics on labour standards, personnel policy, health and safety, environment and food safety (GlobalGAP, Thai-GAP and Thai-GMP and HACCP certification) rights of local population, chain responsibility, human rights, corruption and Corporate Social Involvement.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project will create 31 new jobs including 16 medium-/high-level jobs. In addition, the project will include 30 contract growers and 225 outgrowers. Two years after the realisation of the pilot project, this will increase to 75 jobs (including 30 medium-/high-level positions), 70 contract growers and 800 outgrowers. The employees are paid at least 10% higher wages compared to the market. The joint venture will ensure that the farmers will receive a higher price for their superior quality crop than they are currently receiving for their shallots.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe project will train 15 basic-level employees and 16 medium-/high-level employees. In addition, 30 contract growers will be trained and 225 outgrowers.•	Chain effectsThe project includes both contract farmers and outgrowers. In addition, the farmers will be stimulated to organise themselves into cooperations.•	EnvironmentThe project will have a neutral-positive effect on the environment. As healthier starting material will be used for growing shallot crops, there will be less need for fertilisers and pesticides to produce high harvest yields of good quality. In addition, the F0/F1 planting material will be produced conform GlobalGAP requirements.•	Position of womenMost of the joint venture employees will be female including 1 woman at the higher management positions (out of 3). To establish a facility for the production of 1,950 tons of shallots bulbs (F1) per year. The facility will include a Primary Production Site and a Demonstration and Training Farm.