ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), a multinational corporation engaged in nutrition solutions, and Bayer, a global life sciences company, have announced a three year extension of their collaboration to support soybean farmers in Maharashtra, expanding a programme that was first initiated in June 2022. Under the renewed agreement, the initiative will scale its farmer outreach fourfold, increasing coverage from 25K to 100K soybean growers over the next three years through Farmer Producer Organisations. Alongside this expansion, the area under soybean cultivation supported by the programme will rise from 35,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares.
The geographical footprint of the partnership is also set to widen. In addition to its earlier focus on Latur, Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), and Beed, the programme will now extend to Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Solapur, taking the total number of participating districts in Maharashtra to seven.
Progress Since the 2022 Launch
The collaboration between ADM and Bayer was launched with the objective of strengthening sustainable soybean farming practices in the state. By May 2025, the programme had reached its initial target of 25,000 farmers, meeting its stated goals and establishing the operational base required for a larger rollout.
Sustainability Framework and Field Implementation
The partnership is structured around the sustainability framework of the ProTerra Foundation, which emphasises five dimensions of supply chain sustainability. These include customised production management practices, tailored crop protection approaches that account for pre harvest intervals and biodiversity considerations, structured programme monitoring, detailed crop management documentation, and coordinated post harvest pest management.
Bayer has complemented this framework with extensive in-person and digital training initiatives aimed at strengthening farmers’ capabilities in Good Agricultural Practices, biodiversity awareness, and sustainability oriented cultivation. The company has used model demonstration plots and wide outreach mechanisms to engage growers across districts, including connecting with more than 58,000 farmers through audio bridge calls focused on Integrated Pest Management based crop strategies. In addition, hundreds of pre sowing and crop management camps have been conducted, while a selected group of farmers has completed BayGAP training aligned with globally benchmarked farming practices.
Capacity Building and Market Linkages
In parallel, ADM has focused on strengthening advisory capacity at the field level. Its cluster agronomist teams undergo regular training covering comprehensive crop cultivation methods, nutrient and pesticide management schedules, and Good Agricultural Practices. This approach is intended to enable agronomists to guide farmers in adopting sustainable methods while maintaining economic viability.
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ADM has also drawn on its wider operations in India, spanning origination, oilseed processing, commodities trading, and animal and human nutrition, to reinforce on-ground engagement. This includes support delivered through its Krishi Vikas Kendras, a network of more than 50 crop development and procurement centres that facilitate farmer interaction and procurement linkages.
Our extended partnership with Bayer reflects a long-term vision to safeguard food systems and foster a resilient future. By leveraging ADM’s market linkages and global resources, we aim to equip 100,000 farmers with the tools to strengthen economic resilience, enhance sustainable livelihoods, and lead the future of Indian agriculture through practices that advance environmental and supply chain sustainability.
With the extension in place, both organisations have indicated that the expanded programme will continue to apply the same training models and sustainability practices established during the initial phase. Amrendra Mishra, Managing Director of Ag Services & Oilseeds and Country Manager India at ADM, said the extended collaboration reflects a long term approach to strengthening food systems.
Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head of Bayer’s Crop Science Division for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, emphasised that progress in sustainable agriculture depends on purpose driven partnerships.
Sustainable development in agriculture cannot be achieved in isolation, it demands deep, purpose driven partnerships. Our expanded collaboration with ADM demonstrates what is possible when organisations come together with a shared commitment to farmer prosperity, climate smart practices, and responsible stewardship. By scaling proven solutions across Maharashtra, we aim to help farmers improve yields sustainably while building a more resilient, future ready agri ecosystem.
The partnership now enters its next phase with an expanded mandate that builds on the foundation established since 2022. With a wider district footprint, a substantially larger farmer base, and the continued application of structured training and sustainability frameworks, the three year extension aligns farmer outreach, agronomic support, and market linked engagement across Maharashtra’s soybean growing regions, setting the operational direction for scaled adoption of sustainability aligned farming practices in the years ahead.