AWL, SEA, Solidaridad sign MoU to lead national mustard model farm initiative
The project anticipates a 30% increase in productivity and income for smallholder farmers, directly supporting India’s National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS).
INDIA – AWL Agri Business Ltd (formerly Adani Wilmar Ltd) has entered a strategic partnership with the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC) to spearhead the Regenerative Mustard Mission – Sustainable Mustard Farm Project.
This landmark collaboration, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during SEA’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, will run from September 2025 to August 2027.
The initiative aims to establish 3,000 mustard model farms across nine key mustard-growing districts, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, doubling the existing 1,500 farms.
These farms will serve as practical demonstrations of regenerative agriculture techniques, satellite-based crop monitoring, enhanced soil health management, and climate-resilient farming methods.
The overarching goal is to bridge the yield gap prevalent in mustard cultivation by promoting sustainable practices.
One of the key targets of this initiative is to train and empower 20,000 smallholder farmers through demonstration plots, farmer field schools, and digital advisory services.
By adopting these innovative and sustainable farming practices, the project anticipates a 30% increase in productivity and income for smallholder farmers, directly supporting India’s National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and aligning closely with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, which emphasizes self-reliance.
Speaking about the initiative, Angshu Mallick, CEO & MD of AWL, emphasized the importance of mustard in India’s edible oil landscape, stating that as India heavily relies on imports, expanding mustard cultivation represents a crucial strategy for food self-sufficiency.
He highlighted that AWL’s commitment through this initiative extends beyond enhancing farmers’ livelihoods to building resilience against the impacts of climate change.
SEA President Sanjeev Asthana affirmed the association’s dedication to promoting oilseed self-sufficiency and applauded AWL’s leadership as the principal sponsor.
The Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre will provide technical and expert support, ensuring that best practices in regenerative agriculture are implemented and monitored effectively.
The Regenerative Mustard Mission also incorporates technology integration, such as satellite monitoring and digital advisory services, to facilitate precision agriculture and expedite knowledge dissemination among farmers.
This multi-stakeholder collaboration reflects a growing trend in Indian agriculture, where industry leaders, government bodies, and NGOs come together to foster sustainable farming models that boost domestic production, enhance farmer income, and reduce the country’s dependency on edible oil imports.
This ambitious program positions AWL as a key driver in transforming mustard cultivation practices in India, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable agriculture and contributing meaningfully to national food security goals through innovation and partnership.
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