ADM and Bayer announced on January 5, 2026, the extension and expansion of their farmer support program in India’s Maharashtra state. Building on the success of the initiative launched in 2022, the partnership will continue for another three years, scaling up its reach to benefit more rural communities.
Program Scale Expansion
The collaborative program aims to promote sustainable soybean cultivation across Maharashtra. Under the expanded plan, the number of farmers covered through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will quadruple from the current 25,000 to 100,000. Meanwhile, the cultivation area will see a substantial increase from 35,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares, marking a significant leap in the program’s geographical and demographic impact.
The project’s implementation scope will expand to include four new regions—Nanded, Parbhani, Sangli, and Solapur. These will join the existing coverage areas of Latur, Osmanabad (formerly Darashiv), and Beed, forming seven key focus zones across the state. This expanded footprint is designed to create a more comprehensive and interconnected support network for soybean farmers.
Since its launch in June 2022, the program has achieved remarkable milestones. As of May 2025, it had successfully reached 25,000 farmers, meeting its phase-one targets and laying a solid foundation for large-scale 推广. The positive outcomes from the initial phase have validated the effectiveness of the program’s sustainable farming model, prompting the decision to extend and scale up the collaboration.
Sustainable Farming Framework
Guided by the sustainability framework of the ProTerra Foundation, the program focuses on five core pillars of supply chain sustainability. These include customized production management to tailor farming practices to local conditions, precision pesticide application that emphasizes pre-harvest intervals and biodiversity conservation, professional implementation guidance for consistent execution, detailed crop management documentation to track progress and outcomes, and post-harvest integrated pest and disease control to ensure crop quality and yield preservation.
Bayer has rolled out extensive offline and digital training initiatives to build farmers’ capabilities. These programs focus on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), biodiversity protection, and sustainable farming techniques. Through the establishment of demonstration fields and widespread on-field promotion activities, the company has engaged thousands of growers. Notably, audio lectures on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have reached over 58,000 farmer participants.
Across all project areas, Bayer has organized hundreds of pre-sowing and crop management training camps. A select group of core farmers has also undergone rigorous BayGAP certification training, equipping them to adopt internationally recognized sustainable agricultural practices and serve as role models for their communities.
Collaborative Support System
ADM’s team of regional agronomists receives systematic training to enhance their expertise in integrated crop cultivation, nutrient and pesticide management plans, and GAP. This ensures they can provide effective guidance to farmers, helping them balance sustainable practices with economic viability.
Leveraging its extensive network in India, ADM strengthens support for rural communities through its more than 50 Krishi Vikas Kendras (Crop Development and Procurement Centers). These centers serve as on-the-ground hubs for direct engagement, facilitating the integration of farmers into sustainable supply chains through ADM’s acquisition, processing, trade, and nutrition business capabilities.
Leadership Perspectives
Amrendra Mishra, Managing Director of ADM’s Agricultural Services and Oilseeds business and President of ADM India, emphasized the long-term commitment behind the collaboration. “Our continued partnership with Bayer reflects our dedication to securing food systems and building a sustainable future,” he stated. “With ADM’s market connections and global resources, we aim to enhance the economic resilience and livelihoods of 100,000 farmers, while leading India’s agricultural development through environmentally and supply chain sustainable practices.”
Simon Wiebusch, Head of Bayer Crop Science for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, highlighted the importance of value chain collaboration. “Sustainable agriculture requires deep synergy across the value chain,” he noted. “Our expanded partnership with ADM demonstrates that only by aligning on common goals of farmer prosperity, climate-smart practices, and responsible operations can we unlock true collaboration potential. By scaling proven solutions in Maharashtra, we are committed to helping farmers achieve sustainable yield increases and co-create a more resilient, future-ready agricultural ecosystem.”
The extended and expanded program is set to build on the solid foundation laid over the past four years, bringing sustainable farming practices, enhanced capabilities, and greater market access to a broader community of soybean farmers in Maharashtra. As the initiative enters its next phase, it is poised to drive meaningful change in India’s agricultural sector, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship.
