In a major development for small farmers in India, the Walmart Foundation has announced a new five-year strategy aimed at improving the livelihood of at least 10 lakh smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on empowering women farmers. The Foundation will provide grants to non-profit organizations working in collectivization and farm aggregation in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
The strategy will also provide support for capacity building of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with a specific focus on empowering women farmers. In addition, it will help to increase market linkages and train farmers in eco-friendly agricultural practices and technologies to help them get better business opportunities in an easy way.
Two new grants have been announced in line with the new five-year strategy, including a $3 million grant to Technoserve for smallholder farmers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and a $533,876 grant to Trickle Up, which aims to reach 1,000 smallholder women farmers in Odisha and connect them to two FPOs.
The Walmart Foundation’s investments since 2018 have already improved the livelihoods of farmers in India and increased their access to the commercial goods market. The Foundation has exceeded its initial investment goal of $25 million and has raised over $39 million in philanthropic grants supporting smallholder farmers in India through 24 grant programs with 16 grantees.
These investments will collectively support more than 800,000 smallholder farmers, with over half of them being women farmers. The Walmart Foundation’s new commitment reflects its efforts to facilitate market access for smallholder farmers across India by leveraging its expansion, network, and strategic philanthropy.
New grants will be introduced from the end of this year based on the results of a study conducted by Sambodhi, a company doing impact measurement in India. The study examines the positive impact of the Walmart Foundation’s investments so far in improving livelihoods and increasing the income of FPOs in India. The study reveals that the Foundation’s initiatives have strengthened systems and processes at the FPO level, increased revenue and profits, and helped increase the representation of women at the farm level and in leadership roles in FPOs.
Overall, the Walmart Foundation’s new five-year strategy is a significant step towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in India, especially women farmers. It shows the Foundation’s commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and strengthening local FPOs to achieve their fullest potential.
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