NEW DELHI, INDIA — Global agribusiness Cargill is collaborating with TechnoServe, an international nonprofit, on a partnership called “Srishti” to train 10,000 maize farming households in Davanagere, Karnataka, India, on the use of regenerative agriculture to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and improve water quality and use. 

Announced June 28, Srishti, a Hindi word that means “nature” in English, aims to bring 25,000 acres of farmland under regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices over the next four years. It will empower farmers through comprehensive training, resources and sustained support. The initiative also will address critical challenges such as water conservation, access to finance, and better market linkages, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainable agricultural development.

“Regenerative agriculture starts on the farm,” said Simon George, president of Cargill in India. “That is why Cargill is supporting farmer-led efforts to scale regenerative agriculture globally and why we are starting this program in Davangere to create a lasting impact on farmers’ livelihoods and their long-term productivity. Leveraging our deep experience in the food and agriculture domain, coupled with TechnoServe’s success in sustainable development programs, this partnership will foster transformation in the agricultural landscape in India and bring positive environmental outcomes.”

This program will address:

  • Helping farmers adopt regenerative practices like bund plantation, cover cropping and low tillage.
  • Expanding water harvesting capacity of farming households sustainably through farm ponds and borewell recharge structures.
  • Promoting sustainable use of community land to ensure afforestation of degraded pastureland.
  • Collaborating with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as focal points for farmers. awareness and engagement, besides accessing inputs required for regenerative practices and enhancing remunerative market linkages.

Farmers also will be upskilled on good agricultural practices such as nutrient management, pest and disease management, pre- and post-harvest practices and improved irrigation practices to drive positive environmental outcomes for a more resilient future.   

“We’re excited to kickstart our new program ’Srishti’ in Karnataka with Cargill, our longstanding partner globally and in India,” said Punit Gupta, country director, TechnoServe India. “Over the next four years, the program will support 10,000 farming households in building climate-resilient livelihoods by enabling the adoption of regenerative agriculture and water conservation practices. The economic empowerment of women from these farming households will also be a focus area for the program.”