NEW DELHI, 29 June 2023: Cargill, a global leader in food and agriculture, has partnered with TechnoServe, a non-profit organization, to launch an ambitious program called 'Srishti' aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape in India.
The partnership aims to empower 10,000 maize farming households in Davanagere, Karnataka, by promoting regenerative agriculture practices. The ultimate goal is to bring 25,000 acres of farmland under regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices over the next four years.
Through the 'Srishti' partnership, farmers will receive comprehensive training on regenerative agriculture techniques to enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and improve water quality and utilization.
By implementing these practices, the program aims to create healthier soils that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, thereby increasing crop productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers. Additionally, this initiative aligns with Cargill's vision of making regenerative agriculture a common practice throughout its global supply chains, promoting sustainability and profitability.
The announcement of this transformative partnership took place in the presence of Ronald P Verdnok, Minister Counsel, Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, along with the leadership teams of Cargill and TechnoServe. Verdnok emphasized the significance of the collaboration, highlighting how Cargill's regenerative farming initiative strengthens the partnership between the United States and India.
He acknowledged Cargill's investment in supporting the agricultural sector, which contributes significantly to India's economy, providing employment opportunities and accounting for over 15 percent of the country's GDP.
Over the next four years, the Cargill-TechnoServe partnership will focus on empowering farmers with the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to implement regenerative farming techniques. The program will provide comprehensive training and sustained support to address critical challenges such as water conservation, access to finance, and better market linkages. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive and sustainable development of agriculture in the region.
Simon George, president of Cargill in India, emphasized the importance of starting regenerative agriculture at the farm level. He expressed his confidence that this partnership would have a lasting impact on farmers' livelihoods and long-term productivity. Leveraging Cargill's expertise in the food and agriculture domain, coupled with TechnoServe's success in sustainable development programs, this collaboration aims to drive a positive transformation in India's agricultural landscape and achieve significant environmental outcomes.
Punit Gupta, Country Director of TechnoServe India, expressed excitement about kickstarting the 'Srishti' program in Karnataka alongside Cargill. The initiative aims to support 10,000 farming households in building climate-resilient livelihoods by adopting regenerative agriculture and water conservation practices. The program will also focus on empowering women from these households, contributing to their economic empowerment.
Regenerative agriculture, rooted in traditional and indigenous soil health practices, will be integrated with modern technology and innovation to maximize its impact.
The program will focus on helping farmers adopt regenerative practices such as bund plantation, cover cropping, and low tillage. It will also work on expanding water harvesting capacity through the establishment of farm ponds and borewell recharge structures. Moreover, the initiative aims to promote the sustainable use of community land, leading to the afforestation of degraded pasturelands.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will play a vital role in raising awareness among farmers, providing necessary inputs for regenerative practices, and facilitating remunerative market linkages.
Image credit: plantix.net
