WOTR Launches ProRISE-II to Support 35,000 Farming Households

Pune, Maharashtra, October 29, 2026: The Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), with support from the Walmart Foundation, has launched the second phase of its ProRISE initiative to strengthen climate resilience, livelihoods and market opportunities for smallholder farming households across drought-prone and semi-arid regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

ProRISE-II (Project on Resilient Incomes for Smallholder Farmers through an Ecosystems Approach, Phase-II) aims to reach 35,000 farming households through 40 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across five districts in the two states. The programme will combine climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable natural resource management, farmer-owned enterprise development, improved market access and digital technologies.

“Smallholder farmers are navigating increasingly unpredictable climate conditions while working to build more secure and sustainable livelihoods. The Walmart Foundation’s support for ProRISE-II reflects our efforts to strengthen the systems that support farmers, from climate-resilient agricultural practices and responsible natural resource management to stronger farmer-owned enterprises and improved market connections. WOTR’s integrated, evidence-led approach and focus on inclusive participation can help FPOs become more resilient, professionally managed and better equipped to create lasting economic opportunities for farming communities,” said Nishant Gupta, Social & Environmental Impact Advisor to Walmart.Org.

The initiative builds on the outcomes of ProRISE-I, which supported more than 11,800 farmers through 11 FPOs in Maharashtra’s Solapur, Dharashiv and Jalna districts. The first phase focused on improving income resilience and market competitiveness among smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions.

The participating FPOs recorded a combined business turnover of ₹44.86 crore. The programme also established 12 groups pursuing Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification to encourage safer, residue-free and more sustainable farming practices.

Over three years, participating farmers reported an increase in average net income from crop sales from ₹1,57,046 to ₹2,37,184. Among comparison households, the average net income rose from ₹1,37,392 to ₹1,90,078 during the same period. Among sampled project farmers, 76% reported adopting improved crop varieties or climate-resilient practices, while 55% reported reducing pesticide and chemical spray use. The 11 participating FPOs also engaged 32 buyers and developed a branded portfolio of 52 products.

Under the second phase, WOTR will work with farmers on improved soil and water management, micro-irrigation, sustainable agricultural practices and access to bio-inputs. The programme will also focus on strengthening FPO leadership, governance and business capabilities, alongside improving opportunities for aggregation, value addition, market access and the adoption of digital tools.

ProRISE-II will generate evidence and practical learning on gender-responsive governance, agroecological practices and sustainable agribusiness models. The findings are expected to inform policy dialogue and support FPOs, partner organisations and other agencies in adopting approaches to climate-resilient agriculture and farmer-owned enterprises.

“Building climate resilience among smallholder farmers requires strengthening both their livelihoods and their ability to make decisions about the future of their farms. This includes ensuring that women have a meaningful role in FPO leadership and decision-making, alongside helping farmers access better markets, build viable businesses and manage the natural resources they depend on. Strong Farmer Producer Organisations can bring these priorities together, enabling farmers to act collectively and become better equipped to deal with climate and market uncertainties. The support of the Walmart Foundation will help us deepen this work and extend its reach to more farming communities across Maharashtra and Karnataka,” said Sandip Jadhav, Director, WOTR.

By the end of the project, ProRISE-II aims to support 30 FPOs across Maharashtra and Karnataka in becoming more climate-resilient, market-oriented and professionally managed farmer-owned enterprises. The programme will seek to improve farmer incomes while promoting natural resource conservation and gender inclusion. Evidence from the initiative is also expected to contribute to wider approaches to climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable agribusiness and inclusive FPO development in other climate-vulnerable regions of India.