ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions derived from nature, announced a new partnership with the international non-profit TechnoServe to advance the adoption of regenerative agriculture among 15,000 new soybean farmers in Maharashtra, India, as part of its Farm Forward initiative. This initiative is ADM’s global platform dedicated to building farmer resilience and advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
Funded by a US$500,000 investment from ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment program, the 18-month local initiative will be rolled out to four districts in Maharashtra – Latur, Dharashiv, Beed, and Nanded.
The program will focus on improving soil health, capacitating Farmer- Producer Organisations (FPOs) into focal points of support on regenerative agriculture best practices, and expanding access to digital advisory tools and government support that enable improved climate resilience and livelihoods.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the program set to kick off in May 2026, under which ADM provides strategic direction, governance, and oversight, while TechnoServe leads on-the-ground implementation.
Aligned with the Government of India’s sustainable agriculture priorities, these efforts promote regenerative farming practices – enhancing soil health, improving water-use efficiency, and ensuring targeted and efficient application of inputs such as fertilizers and crop protection products. Beyond
environmental outcomes, the program is also designed to enable long-term improvements in livelihoods for participating farmers through more consistent yield and better cost efficiency. This approach fosters a path where sustainable practices can lead to tangible growth, contributing to a more inclusive and reliable agricultural supply chain in the region.
The program will begin with a detailed scoping phase to assess soil health and water conditions, leveraging existing government-led technology solutions. These assessments will provide farmers with tailored agronomic recommendations to support more informed decision-making. Building on this foundation, approximately 200 demonstration plots will be established across program villages over two cropping seasons.
Through these plots, farmers will be able to observe and adopt practices that improve soil health, water conservation and long-term productivity. To sustain impact beyond the programme, the partnership will also establish eight Farmer-Producer Organisation (FPOs) hubs that can provide continued support to farmers in strengthening their climate resilience.
This program will also promote the integration of digital agriculture solutions with government programs, including the Maha-Agri Tech project, a Maharashtra state-led initiative designed to empower farmers through precision farming technologies. By leveraging satellite-based insights and drone-enabled applications, farmers gain access to data-driven insights on crop health, pest activity, and field conditions, enabling more timely, informed decisions at the farm level.
This supports more targeted and efficient use of inputs such as fertilizers and crop protection products, while connecting farmers to advisory platforms such as the Mahavistar app, for real-time, personalized agriculture advisories.
Commenting on the partnership, Amrendra Mishra, managing director of Ag Services & Oilseeds and country manager India, ADM, said, “At ADM, we believe that sustainable supply chains start with resilient farming communities. In partnership with TechnoServe, we are executing ADM’s Asia Pacific flagship program for 2026 under the global Farm Forward initiative, combining our expertise, partnerships, and on-the-ground experience to support farmers in strengthening climate resilience, improving soil health, enhancing livelihoods through targeted training and technology-enabled solutions, and expanding access to markets and resources.”
Joydeep Dutt, country director-India, TechnoServe, said, “At TechnoServe, we believe that lasting agricultural transformation begins with empowering smallholder farmers at the centre of our agri-food systems. In partnership with ADM, we are bringing together our on-the-ground expertise, deep community relationships, and proven approaches to empower smallholder soybean farmers across Maharashtra to strengthen climate resilience, adopt regenerative practices, and build more sustainable livelihoods, contributing to an agricultural sector that works better for people and the planet.”
Through this partnership, ADM and TechnoServe aim to establish a scalable model for advancing regenerative agriculture in India, demonstrating how collaboration across the value chain can drive meaningful progress at farm level, while strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in
Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
Subscribe Now
