ADM and Bayer expand sustainable soybean program in India

Nutrition leader ADM and healthcare and agriculture giant Bayer have jointly revealed a three-year extension to their sustainable agriculture partnership to support soybean farmers in Maharashtra, India.

The move is slated to build on the program’s success since its launch in June 2022. With this extension, the program will scale fourfold to 100,000 farmers through FPOs and expand its coverage from 35,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares. 

The expansion will cover seven districts in Maharashtra, adding Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Solapur to its original footprint of Latur, Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), and Beed.

ADM and Bayer will continue to apply the same training and sustainable farming practices in their extended partnership. 

Amrendra Mishra, managing director of Ag Services and Oilseeds and Country Manager India at ADM, says the “extended partnership reflects a long-term vision to safeguard food systems and foster a resilient future.”

“By leveraging ADM’s market linkages and global resources, we aim to equip 100,000 farmers with the tools to strengthen economic resilience, enhance sustainable livelihoods, and lead the future of Indian agriculture through practices that advance environmental and supply chain sustainability.”

Simon Wiebusch, country divisional head – Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, adds: “Sustainable development in agriculture cannot be achieved in isolation — it demands deep, purpose-driven partnerships.” 

“Our collaboration demonstrates what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to farmer prosperity, climate-smart practices, and responsible stewardship. By scaling proven solutions across Maharashtra, we aim to help farmers improve yields sustainably while building a more resilient, future-ready agri-ecosystem.”

Impact on soybean farmers

The partnership, initially launched in June 2022, strengthened sustainable soybean farming practices in Maharashtra and successfully reached 25,000 farmers by May 2025, achieving its targets and laying a strong foundation for further scale.

The partnership also draws from a credible sustainability framework, the ProTerra Foundation, with a focus on five critical areas of supply chain sustainability:

• Customized production management
• Tailored spray programs that emphasise pre-harvest intervals and biodiversity protection
• Professional implementation guidance
• Detailed crop-management documentation
• Collaborative post-harvest pest management expertise

Complementing these efforts, Bayer led extensive in-person and digital training programs to strengthen farmers’ capacity in GAP, biodiversity, and sustainability practices. 

Through a combination of model demonstration plots and large-scale outreach, the company has engaged thousands of growers, including connecting with over 58,000 farmers through audio bridge calls on IPM-based crop management.

Across project districts, Bayer has also conducted hundreds of pre-sowing and crop management camps. At the same time, a carefully chosen cohort of farmers underwent rigorous BayGAP training to adopt globally benchmarked sustainable farming practices.

In parallel, ADM’s cluster agronomist team receives regular training on comprehensive crop cultivation practices, including nutrient and pesticide management schedules, as well as GAP. This support helps guide farmers in implementing sustainable practices while safeguarding the economic viability of farming communities.

Building on this groundwork, ADM has leveraged its extensive network in India, which spans origination, oilseed processing, commodities trading, and animal and human nutrition, to deepen support for farmers. 

This network includes on-the-ground engagement through its Krishi Vikas Kendras — a collection of more than 50 crop development and procurement centers.

Previous partnership expansion 

The companies expanded their collaboration in 2024 to increase the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices among European farmers, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity and soil health. 

In other agricultural highlights, PepsiCo, Mars, and ADM recently collaborated on a new regenerative agriculture initiative, working with Polish farmers to enhance sustainable practices, including rotational agriculture for improved wheat crops and rapeseed cultivation.