ADM Cares-funded programme advancing regenerative agriculture across Maharashtra to strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable livelihoods.
SINGAPORE/GURUGRAM: ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, today announced a new partnership with international non-profit TechnoServe to advance regenerative agriculture adoption 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 USD 500,000 investment from ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment programme, the 18-month local initiative will be rolled out across four districts in Maharashtra — Latur, Dharashiv, Beed, and Nanded.
The programme 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 formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the programme set to kick off in May 2026. Under the agreement, ADM will provide strategic direction, governance, and oversight, while TechnoServe will lead on-the-ground implementation.
Aligned with the Government of India’s sustainable agriculture priorities, these efforts promote regenerative farming practices by enhancing soil health, improving water-use efficiency, and ensuring targeted and efficient application of inputs such as fertilisers and crop protection products.
Beyond environmental outcomes, the programme is also designed to enable long-term improvements in livelihoods for participating farmers through more consistent yields and better cost efficiency. This approach fosters a pathway where sustainable practices can lead to tangible growth, contributing to a more inclusive and reliable agricultural supply chain in the region.
The programme 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 programme 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 (FPO) hubs that can provide continued support to farmers in strengthening their climate resilience.
This programme will also promote the integration of digital agriculture solutions with government programmes, 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 and informed decisions at the farm level. This supports more targeted and efficient use of inputs such as fertilisers and crop protection products, while connecting farmers to advisory platforms such as the Mahavistar app for real-time, personalised 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 programme 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 the farm level while strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
(India CSR)
