ADM expands sustainable soybean program with Bayer in India
By 2026, ADM and Bayer expect the initiative to significantly boost farmer livelihoods, reduce carbon footprints, and contribute to India’s broader sustainability goals.
INDIA – India’s soybean farming communities stand to benefit significantly from a landmark three-year extension of the sustainable agriculture partnership between global nutrition leader ADM and life sciences giant Bayer.
Building on the program’s success since its June 2022 launch in Maharashtra, the initiative quadruples its reach from 25,000 to 100,000 farmers across 200,000 hectares in seven districts, adding Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Solapur to the existing Latur, Dharashiv, and Beed footprint.
This expansion leverages Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), ADM’s nationwide agri-network, and Bayer’s crop science expertise to embed Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and ProTerra-aligned sustainability standards.
Maharashtra produces over 50% of India’s soybeans, a critical oilseed and protein source facing climate vulnerabilities, soil degradation, and volatile markets.
The program delivers customized production management, tailored spray schedules emphasizing pre-harvest intervals and biodiversity, professional implementation guidance, detailed crop documentation, and collaborative post-harvest pest control.
Bayer’s in-person and digital training equips farmers with GAP and sustainability skills via model demonstration plots, while ADM’s cluster agronomists, trained on nutrient and pesticide protocols, provide on-ground support through its 50+ Krishi Vikas Kendras procurement centers.
Early results show yield improvements of 15-20% and premium pricing for traceable produce.
ADM Managing Director for Ag Services and Oilseeds in India, Amrendra Mishra, underscored long-term impact: “This reflects our vision to safeguard food systems. By equipping 100,000 farmers with market linkages, we strengthen economic resilience and advance environmental stewardship.”
Bayer’s Country Divisional Head for Crop Science, Simon Wiebusch, added: “Sustainable agriculture demands purpose-driven partnerships. Scaling proven solutions builds a resilient agri-ecosystem.”
ProTerra certification ensures verifiable supply chain sustainability, appealing to global buyers demanding deforestation-free soy.
The expansion aligns with India’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and soybean self-sufficiency goals, countering import reliance amid 8% annual production growth needs.
ADM channels sustainable volumes into its oilseed processing, animal nutrition, and human food chains, while Bayer’s seeds and traits enhance varietal performance.
FPO integration fosters collective bargaining, cutting input costs by 10-15% through bulk purchases.
This collaboration exemplifies corporate agriculture’s pivot toward regenerative models, mirroring ADM-Bayer’s global efforts in Brazil and the US Analysts project 25% income uplift for participants, enhancing rural livelihoods in a state where soybeans support 5 million growers.
As climate risks intensify, the program’s biodiversity focus, protecting pollinators and soil health, positions Maharashtra as a scalable template for sustainable intensification across Asia’s US$50 billion soy market.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
