FarMart Trains 1,350 Farmers in MP as Women-Led Soil Initiative Targets 20% Higher Farm Income

FarMart has expanded Project EverGrain into Madhya Pradesh, using soil testing, climate-smart advice and a network of women field workers to help small farmers cut costs and improve earnings.

FarMart is taking its farmer profitability initiative deeper into rural India, with more than 1,350 farmers trained across Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar and Tikamgarh districts under Project EverGrain’s second phase. The program aims to help smallholder farmers increase their net income by 15–20% through soil testing, more efficient fertilizer use, and climate-smart agricultural practices.

The expansion marks a shift in the initiative’s focus. While its first phase focused on reducing post-harvest losses, the new phase targets decisions made before cultivation begins, from choosing crops and planning sowing schedules to managing nutrients and water.

1,350 Farmers Trained as FarMart Expands Its MP Operations

The company completed its first round of farmer training between October 25 and October 28, covering communities in Dhana, Sagar, and Tikamgarh.

The sessions introduced farmers to climate-resilient crop selection, disease management, and balanced nutrient application based on soil test reports. Over the next 18 months, the Madhya Pradesh program plans to work directly with more than 1,000 smallholder farmers, conduct 3,000 soil tests across three sowing cycles, and deliver farm-specific recommendations.

The program will cover wheat, paddy and soybean, three important crops within FarMart’s existing procurement network in the state.

Women Farmers Take Center Stage Through the Mitti Sakhi Network

A major feature of Project EverGrain’s Madhya Pradesh expansion is its network of 15 Mitti Sakhis — local women trained to connect soil science with practical farming decisions.

These women will collect soil samples, help communicate test results, and explain recommendations to farmers in their communities. Their role is designed to ensure agricultural guidance doesn’t end with a training session but reaches individual farms and stays accessible across successive crop cycles.

FarMart believes the women-led network can help bridge the gap between technical information and its adoption at the village level, where community trust often influences whether farmers change established practices.

Soil Imbalances Could Be Driving Up Farming Costs

Madhya Pradesh is a major agricultural state, but nutrient imbalances in its farmland remain a challenge. According to the program’s assessment, excessive nitrogen application alongside inadequate phosphorus and potassium can lead to inefficient fertilizer use, higher cultivation expenses, and weaker productivity.

For farmers operating on holdings averaging less than two hectares, unnecessary input spending can significantly affect household earnings.

EverGrain will collect soil samples before each sowing season and generate individual reports covering nutrient levels and other soil properties. A qualified soil scientist will assess the results, group farmers with similar soil profiles, and develop practical fertilizer recommendations tailored to their requirements.

FarMart Targets 15–20% Higher Farmer Income

Across the 18-month program, FarMart is targeting an average 15–20% improvement in participating farmers’ net income. The expected gains are linked to a 10% reduction in input costs per acre and a 10–15% improvement in crop productivity.

These are program targets, not guaranteed outcomes. Achievement will depend on adoption of recommendations and farming conditions across participating regions.

Tannya Garg, Director, Impact, ESG and Partnerships at FarMart, said farmers often make critical decisions about fertilizers, inputs and sowing schedules without information specific to their land.

She said EverGrain aims to make soil reports more actionable by interpreting them in the context of individual crops, seasons and local climate conditions. The company also intends to help farmers improve water management and protect their incomes through continued field support.

Earlier EverGrain Phase Reported Additional Farmer Income

The expansion builds on the program’s first phase, implemented across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in 2025. That phase trained more than 2,200 farmers in post-harvest management for paddy and wheat.

FarMart reported that average post-harvest losses fell by 1.92 kg per quintal for paddy farmers and 3.25 kg per quintal for wheat farmers. The company estimated additional income of ₹4,860 per farmer during the paddy season and ₹5,687 during the wheat season.

Project EverGrain is being implemented in partnership with responsAbility Investments AG. Running from October 2026 to May 2028, the wider initiative will cover Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, with 1,000 smallholder farmers participating in each state.