Struggling farmers find hope in India co-operative

Sahyadri Farms grew from 110 growers in 2011 to about 30,000 members and processed 385,000 tonnes last year, helping smallholders access export markets.

Farmers in Maharashtra are reporting stronger incomes after joining a cooperative called Sahyadri Farms. The cooperative began in 2011 with 110 small growers and now has about 30,000 members. Indian agriculture employs more than 700 million people but has long faced economic stress and climate pressures. More than 3,090 farmers in Maharashtra were reported to have killed themselves between 2022 and 2024. Key facts: - Sahyadri Farms began in 2011 with 110 growers and now has about 30,000 members, with more than 95% owning less than one hectare. - It processed 385,000 tonnes of produce last year and is a leading exporter of grapes and a major supplier of tomatoes, mangoes and cashew nuts. - The cooperative introduced new grape varieties and trains members on reducing excessive fertiliser and pesticide use to adapt to erratic weather. - External investors, including Proparco, injected nearly $40 million in 2022 to expand export markets and finance a biogas plant and a microalgae water-recycling facility. - Around 6,500 staff sort, process and package produce, and about 40% of those staff are women. - Individual members report higher earnings; one grower said he now earns about 4.5–5 million rupees a year from six hectares. Summary: The cooperative’s scale-up and external investment have widened market access, diversified crops and supported infrastructure projects while members report rising incomes. Undetermined at this time.