Walmart Foundation partners with Agribusiness Systems International to assist Indian farmers

Dan Bryant, SVP, global public policy and government affairs for Walmart, announced the partnership with ASI at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad.

According the Foundation, 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 Foundation's goal is to improve the livelihoods of 15,000 farmers and their families and communities over the next two years.

The Market Readiness Project will encourage farmers to work together and help them learn new skills to improve their productivity and the quality of their produce.

As a key 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, the Foundation said in a release.

Walmart said it is committed to improving the livelihoods of farmers from the small and middle categories in growing economies.

It supports such farmers through its global sourcing program, providing technical assistance and training programs to increase farmer income.

Walmart Foundation broadens this effort to address more systemic barriers that prevent farmers from increasing their productivity and market access.

This includes building infrastructure support systems, introducing market-enabling technology, increasing access to finance, and providing training on business and farming skills and international food standards.

Julie Gehrki, vice president, programs for Walmart Foundation, said: “Smallholder farmers are vital to ensuring sustainable access to nutritious food around the world. The Walmart Foundation is proud to launch this effort to support small-scale farmers in Andhra Pradesh as they grow their skills and create opportunities for their families and community. The approach that ASI is taking to the work is one that looks at how a range of factors – from government to financial institutions and local businesses – can all be a part of supporting farmers in this growth.”

Walmart Foundation funded training for a million farmers and farm workers in 15 countries between 2011 and 2016. Half of those trained were women.

Walmart’s current focus is on programs to support farmers in India and Mexico.

Amit Singh, ASI India Country Representative, said: “The Walmart Foundation’s support of smallholder farmers in Andhra Pradesh will help unlock the potential of farmer livelihoods for generations by focusing on sustainable and transparent partnerships with public and private sector supply chain actors.In Andhra Pradesh, private sector actors are eager to engage more closely with smallholder farmers. This represents a great opportunity for these farmers to reach bigger and better markets through private sector engagement.”

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), now in its eighth year, seeks to empower entrepreneurs to build partnerships, secure funding and explore new markets. The focus this year is on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth globally.