With a US$ 2 million grant from Walmart Foundation, Grameen Foundation will launch the second phase of the Market Access eNabled by Digital Innovation in India (MANDI) project. MANDI-II will aim to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers, especially women, in eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal by building the capacities of farmer producer organisations (FPOs),” Grameen Foundation recently announced.
During the first phase of the MANDI project, also supported by the Walmart Foundation, Grameen Foundation helped build the capacity of 40 FPOs in East UP by facilitating market linkages, providing access to finance, data and technology and notably increasing women shareholder participation. The achievements of MANDI Phase I as reported by Grameen include; gender mainstreaming, uptake of agriculture technologies, market linkages, and financial resilience for FPOs.
You may also like to read – PANI, Dvara E-Registry partner to make FPO digital platform accessible to small and marginal farmers
“Building on these achievements, the second phase of the MANDI project will focus on further enhancing the sustainability and resilience of FPOs. The 24-month intervention will engage 50 FPOs through a hub and spoke model, targeting at least 40 per cent of women farmers and aiming to reach 35,000 farmers. Key objectives include increasing farmer incomes, strengthening FPOs’ governance and operations, and promoting market-led production for business viability,” Grameen said.
According to the Foundation, the second phase of MANDI will also adopt a comprehensive ‘one-farm’ approach to diversify production, integrate livelihoods, and improve farmer incomes. It will also promote sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating access to organised market setups, strengthening supply and value chains, and promoting climate-resilient practices.
You may also like to read – FPO under TReDS: Samunnati powers invoice discounting transactions of Rs.3.5 Cr
Speaking on the collaboration, Julie Gehrki, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Foundation said, “We are excited to collaborate with Grameen Foundation for the next phase of MANDI. We believe in the transformative potential of smallholder farmers in advancing India’s agricultural sector. Through this project, we aim to provide farmers with the necessary tools, resources, and market access to improve their livelihoods and build sustainable futures for their communities.”
Highlighting the project, Bharati Joshi, Chief Program Officer of Grameen Foundation India, said, “The second phase of MANDI builds upon the successes of the first phase and represents a significant step towards increasing the incomes and building the resilience of smallholder farmers, especially women. By leveraging technology, market linkages, and gender mainstreaming, the project aims to generate impact across the agricultural landscape in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.”
“The MANDI II project will play a crucial role in addressing challenges faced by small and marginal farmers. By rescaling and empowering FPOs, this initiative will enhance farmer incomes, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable agricultural practices, the Foundation said.
