Shaping a Brighter Future for Smallholder Growers in India

In India, nearly 70% of households rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, primarily consisting of smallholder farmers who manage less than 2 hectares of land. To support these farmers, BASF | Nunhems launched the ‘Healthy Soils, Prosperous Farmers’ program, which aims to improve agricultural practices and empower rural communities.

"Smallholder farmers face several significant challenges, including soil degradation, increased disease pressure and unpredictable weather. It’s crucial to tackle these issues to ensure their livelihoods and the resilience of rural areas," explains Bas Gorissen, Global Sustainability Manager at BASF | Nunhems.

The program ‘Healthy Soils, Prosperous Farmers’ program aims to transform local agricultural systems, empowering women and youth, and promoting health, sustainability and economic resilience. By addressing critical problems such as low incomes, climate change, and a lack of digital connectivity, the program aims to create lasting improvements in farming communities.

To achieve these goals, BASF | Nunhems collaborates with several organizations, including Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods (CinI), Solidaridad, Seven Sisters Technical Assistance (SeSTA), and the World Vegetable Center. These partnerships bring together diverse expertise and resources to effectively support smallholder farmers.

Together with their partners, BASF | Nunhems is implementing solutions like solar-powered drip irrigation and enhanced vegetable cultivation. These methods are shared with farmers at demonstration sites, allowing them to learn and apply new techniques. Farmers also take part in train-the-trainer sessions, where they can share their knowledge with peers in Farmer Field Schools. This hands-on approach ensures that farmers are central to the problem-solving.

Dr. Ravishankar Manickam, Senior Horticulturist at the World Vegetable Center, emphasizes the effectiveness of this approach: "Our training sessions actively involve farmers, making it easier for them to adopt new technologies and promoting the long-term integration of sustainable practices."

These efforts align with global sustainability goals and BASF’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers. The "Healthy Soils, Prosperous Farmers" program has become a cornerstone of BASF's global outreach, enhancing knowledge sharing and building partnerships.  The impact of these projects extends beyond agriculture, driving economic growth, improving social well-being, and promoting environmental sustainability for smallholder farmers and their communities.