GlobalGAP certified helda beans The applicant, Bakker Barendrecht B.V. is the main supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits to Albert Heijn, and other AHOLD companies in Europe. For the supply of helda beans (snijboontjes or runner beans) Bakker Barendrecht is dependent on produce from Morocco and Spain. Because the Helda bean is sensitive to warm and cold, and Morocco and Spain have cold winters sometimes, the quality and quantity of beans from these countries is not always sufficient. Therefore, Bakker Barendrecht has explored possibilities to start production in Senegal.Local partner, Safina SARL, is a family owned company and produces (amongst others) French beans for Bakker Barendrecht / Albert Heijn. The partners have done successful tests on a small scale and results are promising.In European winters, there is a high demand and low supply of helda beans in the Netherlands. Therefore prices are relatively high in this period. The partners will form a joint venture to start producing helda beans for this period on the farm of Safina SARL, just outside Dakar. The beans will be cultivated in 20 modern plastic greenhouses of 1 ha each.The project will employ 162 people (partly part-time) and most seasonal (6 months per year). It is estimated that this corresponds with 69 FTE on annual basis. The operation will be BSCI and GlobalGAP certified. It is expected that other companies in the sector will follow producing these beans, after the pilot turns out to be successful. The project is also positive for Senegal's negative trade balance, as the helda beans are cultivated for the export market.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The operation will be GlobalGAP and BSCI certified. This will assure the highest standard of worker health and safety, but also food quality and consumer safety. Chemical inputs are only allowed if necessary and the environmental impact will be minimised. Drip irrigation for example will assure minimum use of water and inputs. Furthermore, Safina SARL will continue to offer its land in off seasons to its 2,000 seasonal workers. Also, extra fringe benefits such as transportation, health insurance, pension schemes and bonuses will be offered to the permanent team of workers. The joint venture will also create a new fund for social occasions and emergencies for employees. There will be worship areas for employees of different religions and women will have a right to maternity leave and there are facilities for women to nurse their babies. It is envisaged that 90% of all seasonal employees will be female.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsEmployees will receive permanent labour contracts and payments meeting or exceeding legal minimum wages. The working conditions will comply with the strict BSCI and GlobalGAP standards. All employees for example will receive health and safety trainings (e.g. the use of pesticide dispensers). The joint venture also offers fringe benefits like transportation, health insurance, a pension scheme and bonuses at the end of the cultivation season. Employees will have the freedom to associate.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThere is no helda bean production in Senegal yet. However, although Safina SARL does cultivate French beans, cultivation techniques for helda beans are different. Helda beans are grown in plastic greenhouses, whilst French beans grow in the open air. Furthermore, helda beans are climbing plants and are very sensitive to temperature changes and wind. The packaging of helda beans require slightly different techniques too.•	Chain effectsEnergy, transport, cardboard boxes and insurance will be sourced locally. Furthermore, local craftsmen, welders and carpenters will be hired regularly for maintenance and repairs. The suppliers will also have to operate according to BSCI and GlobalGAP standards.It is estimated that 5% of the harvest will not meet the European standards and will have to be sold on the local market.•	Impact on the sectorIt is expected that other companies in the sector will follow if the joint venture proves that the business is successful. There is a huge market potential for more helda beans from Senegal. Furthermore, the project will create internships for students of agricultural schools and universities.•	EnvironmentAs the project will operate according to GlobalGAP and BSCI standards, the project partners will have to treat natural resources with care. They will make use of a modern irrigation system, where water is blended with fertilisers. This will reduce chemical use. Also, biological methods like wasps to get rid of white flies are used. Pesticides and insecticides will be used at a minimum level and will always meet European Legislation.•	Position of womenMost employees will be female. Furthermore, women will have the right to maternity leave and there will be facilities to nurse babies.•	Impact on food safetyMost beans will be exported, but it is estimated that 5% of the yield will have to be sold locally, since not all produce will meet the strict European standards.•	Impact on waterThe project does not have a positive impact on the availability of water, but will use modern irrigation systems, thus using as little water as possible. Cultivation of 400 tons GlobalGAP and BSCI certified helda beans per year, for the export market.