Bangalore, 21st September, 2023 - Grameen Foundation is launching the second phase of its Market Access eNabled by Digital Innovation in India (MANDI) project, with a $2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. MANDI-II aims to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women, in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal by strengthening the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the region.
In the initial phase of the MANDI project, which also received support from the Walmart Foundation, Grameen Foundation made significant strides in uplifting 40 FPOs in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Their efforts included facilitating market connections, providing financial access, data, and technology, and notably increasing women's participation as shareholders. Some key accomplishments from MANDI Phase I, as reported by Grameen, include:
Gender Mainstreaming: Over 8,300 women joined FPOs as new members; 18 out of the 40 FPOs now boast at least 40% female membership, compared to the initial 12.5%. This led to the establishment of gender-inclusive value chains, like moringa, chili, medicinal plants (e.g., aloe vera), dairy, and production chains such as sweet meats from the vegetable bottle gourd and vermicompost as an organic fertilizer alternative.
Agriculture Technologies: Around 9,600 farmers benefited from 14 agricultural technologies adopted by FPOs, which included digital, climate-smart, and women-friendly solutions. These technologies enhanced crop quality and production while promoting sustainability.
Market Linkages: Total sales turnover of all 40 FPOs soared from ~INR 46 million (~USD 580,000) pre-intervention to ~INR 153 million (~USD 1.9 million), showcasing the successful establishment of critical market connections. FPOs transitioned from staple crops to cash crops, adding value to selected value chains, and making data-driven business decisions.
FPO Financial Resilience: FPOs witnessed a remarkable 112% increase in paid-up capital, signaling their capacity to generate working capital internally. Moreover, 29 FPOs secured links with public and private financing schemes, enabling them to access financial resources for additional business activities.
Building on these achievements, MANDI's second phase will concentrate on further bolstering the sustainability and resilience of FPOs in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Over a span of 24 months, the project plans to engage 50 FPOs via a hub-and-spoke model, targeting a minimum of 40% women farmers and aiming to reach 35,000 farmers. Key objectives encompass increasing farmer incomes, fortifying FPO governance and operations, and fostering market-led production for business viability.
The second phase of MANDI will adopt a holistic "one-farm" approach to diversify production, integrate livelihoods, and boost farmer incomes. It will also promote sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating access to organized market setups, strengthening supply and value chains, and advocating climate-resilient methods.
Julie Gehrki, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Walmart Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "We believe in the transformative potential of smallholder farmers in advancing India's agricultural sector. Through this project, we aim to provide farmers with the necessary tools, resources, and market access to improve their livelihoods and build sustainable futures for their communities."
Bharati Joshi, Chief Program Officer of Grameen Foundation India, echoed this sentiment, saying, "The second phase of MANDI builds upon the successes of the first phase and represents a significant step towards increasing the incomes and building the resilience of smallholder farmers, especially women. By leveraging technology, market linkages, and gender mainstreaming, the project aims to generate impact across the agricultural landscape in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal."
The MANDI II project is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. By empowering and scaling up FPOs, this initiative will uplift farmer incomes, enhance livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
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 through Santhwana Trust.JPG)
