Walmart to support small farmers in India

HYDERABAD: Walmart Foundation, the CSR arm of global retail major Walmart, has announced a grant of about $2 million to Agribusiness Systems International (ASI) to help small farmers in India.

The funding will enable ASI to implement the Farmer Market Readiness Project in Andhra Pradesh. It will provide farmers with the knowledge, resources and services to enhance their market-readiness and expand their reach.

The initiative is aimed at impacting and improving the livelihood of 15,000 farmers over the next two years.

“ASI will look at how government, financial institutions and local businesses can be a part of supporting farmers. The Market Readiness Project will encourage farmers to work together and help them learn new skills to improve their productivity and the quality of produce,”said Julie Gehrki, V-P, Programs for Walmart Foundation.

“As part of the program, ASI will promote closer links between buyers and farmers. Facilitating meetings prior to the planting season will let diverse buyers share their insights into upcoming market demand, standards, and prices and allow farmers to manage planting and crop rotation to maximize profits.”

ASI India Country Representative Amit Singh said the initiative will help unlock the potential of farmers by focusing on sustainable and transparent partnerships with public and private sector supply chain actors.
This represents a great opportunity for farmers to reach bigger and better markets.