GIZ, Pepsico India, Bayer partner to advance climate-resilient maize farming in India
GIZ, PepsiCo India and Bayer’s Crop Science Division have launched HARVEST, a three-year public-private partnership to promote regenerative agriculture and climate resilience in maize-based farming across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Supported by Germany’s BMZ, the initiative aims to reach 35,000 farmers through training, improved soil health, efficient water and input use, crop diversification and sustainable farming practices, with research support from IIMR.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, and Bayer AG’s Crop Science Division have announced HARVEST (Holistic Agricultural Climate Resilience and Versatile Ecosystem Strengthening Techniques), a public-private partnership programme to advance regenerative agriculture and strengthen the climate resilience of maize-based farming communities in India.
Implemented under the develoPPP programme on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), HARVEST will work with farming communities in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, according to a statement. The partnership will bring together scientific expertise, farmer capability building, practical on-ground interventions and value-chain engagement to support more resilient and sustainable agricultural production. Over its three-year duration, the initiative aims to reach 35,000 farmers through training and capability building.
Partnership extends to maize farming
PepsiCo and Bayer have partnered for over two decades in the potato value chain. With GIZ joining as a partner and research support from the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), this collaboration now extends to maize, aiming to strengthen resilience, sustainability and innovation across the food system. PepsiCo and GIZ have also collaborated on a project in Thailand (2021–2025), focused on the potato and rice value chains.
Focus on regenerative farming practices
HARVEST will promote locally relevant regenerative agriculture practices across maize-based farming systems, including rotational crops. The initiative will focus on areas such as soil health, efficient use of water and agricultural inputs, crop diversification and farming practices that can help farmers better manage climate-related risks.
Importantly, the project will build the case for farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture at scale, while helping de-risk that transition. Alongside introducing sustainable farming practices, it will build farmers’ knowledge and capabilities and provide opportunities for them to see and assess these practices under local farming conditions.
Partners underline farmer resilience and sustainability
Ulrike Ebeling, Country Director, GIZ India and Bhutan: ‘HARVEST brings together GIZ’s experience and local networks with the innovation and expertise of PepsiCo and Bayer. Our partnership shows that development goals and business interests can go hand in hand. Together, we will improve livelihood opportunities for farmers and build more sustainable agricultural value chains, while creating a strong business case. This will benefit farmers, consumers, the environment, and businesses alike.
Ashok Rai, Senior Director and India Market Supply Officer, PepsiCo India, said, “At PepsiCo India, we believe progress in agriculture is strongest when driven in partnership. We have proven success in driving longstanding agri partnerships along with soil health focus when it comes to potato farming in India; we are now bringing that expertise to maize farming through Project HARVEST, in partnership with GIZ and Bayer Crop Science. Guided by pep+ and our Positive Agriculture agenda, we aim to enable maize farmers adopt regenerative and climate-resilient practices that can strengthen soil health, use resources more efficiently and build greater resilience for their farms and livelihoods. Project HARVEST reflects our partnership for progress philosophy and our ambition to help build a more resilient agricultural ecosystem in India.”
Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, said, “For regenerative agriculture to scale, sustainability and farmer economics have to move together. No single organization can achieve this alone. By leveraging our complementary strengths and taking a collaborative, ecosystem approach, we can bring together science, innovation, farmer capabilities and value-chain partnerships to create greater value for farmers. Through HARVEST, we aim to demonstrate how this collective approach can build more resilient farms and sustainable food systems.
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Source : BusinessLine
