ADM, TechnoServe expand Farm Forward Initiative in India, targeting soybean farmers

ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a new partnership with international non-profit TechnoServe to advance regenerative agriculture adoption among 15,000 new soybean farmers in Maharashtra, India, as part of its Farm Forward Initiative. This initiative is ADM’s global platform dedicated to building farmer resilience and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. 

Funded by a USD 500,000 investment from ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment program, the 18-month local initiative will be rolled out to four districts in Maharashtra – Latur, Dharashiv, Beed, and Nanded. The program will focus on improving soil health, capacitating Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) into focal points of support on regenerative agriculture best practices, and expanding access to digital advisory tools and government support that enable improved climate resilience and livelihoods.      

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the program set to kick off in May 2026, under which ADM provides strategic direction, governance, and oversight, while TechnoServe leads on-the-ground implementation. 

ADM and TechnoServe leaders celebrate the MoU signing L-R: Myriam Sainz (Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, TechnoServe), Krishnan Hariharan (Senior Practice Lead, TechnoServe), Amrendra Mishra (MD & Country Manager, ADM India), Arun Khera (GM, Govt. Relations, ADM India), and Apoorve Garg (GM – COMMERCIAL, ADM India) 

Aligned with the Government of India’s sustainable agriculture priorities, these efforts promote regenerative farming practices – enhancing soil health, improving water-use efficiency, and ensuring targeted and efficient application of inputs such as fertilizers and crop protection products. Beyond environmental outcomes, the program is also designed to enable long-term improvements in livelihoods for participating farmers through more consistent yield and better cost efficiency. This approach fosters a path where sustainable practices can lead to tangible growth, contributing to a more inclusive and reliable agricultural supply chain in the region.

The program will begin with a detailed scoping phase to assess soil health and water conditions, leveraging existing government-led technology solutions. These assessments will provide farmers with tailored agronomic recommendations to support more informed decision-making. Building on this foundation, approximately 200 demonstration plots will be established across program villages over two cropping seasons. Through these plots, farmers will be able to observe and adopt practices that improve soil health, water conservation and long-term productivity. To sustain impact beyond the program, the partnership will also establish eight Farmer-Producer Organization (FPOs) hubs that can provide continued support to farmers in strengthening their climate resilience.     

This program will also promote the integration of digital agriculture solutions with government programs, including the Maha-Agri Tech project, a Maharashtra state-led initiative designed to empower farmers through precision farming technologies. By leveraging satellite-based insights and drone-enabled applications, farmers gain access to data-driven insights on crop health, pest activity, and field conditions, enabling more timely, informed decisions at the farm level. This supports more targeted and efficient use of inputs such as fertilizers and crop protection products, while connecting farmers to advisory platforms such as the Mahavistar app, for real-time, personalized agriculture advisories.

Commenting on the partnership, Amrendra Mishra, Managing Director of Ag Services & Oilseeds and Country Manager India, ADM, said: “At ADM, we believe that sustainable supply chains start with resilient farming communities. In partnership with TechnoServe, we are executing ADM’s Asia Pacific flagship program for 2026 under the global Farm Forward initiative, combining our expertise, partnerships, and on-the-ground experience to support farmers in strengthening climate resilience, improving soil health, enhancing livelihoods through targeted training and technology-enabled solutions, and expanded access to markets and resources.”

Joydeep Dutt, Country Director-India, TechnoServe, said: “At TechnoServe, we believe that lasting agricultural transformation begins with empowering smallholder farmers at the centre of our agri-food systems. In partnership with ADM, we are bringing together our on-the-ground expertise, deep community relationships, and proven approaches to empower smallholder soybean farmers across Maharashtra to strengthen climate resilience, adopt regenerative practices, and build more sustainable livelihoods, contributing to an agricultural sector that works better for people and the planet.”

Through this partnership, ADM and TechnoServe aim to establish a scalable model for advancing regenerative agriculture in India, demonstrating how collaboration across the value chain can drive meaningful progress at farm level, while strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods.