Bayer & ADM Expand Maharashtra Soybean Program to 100,000 Farmers

Germany based Bayer AG has extended its tie-up with US based agribusiness major ADM by 3 more years to scale sustainable soybean farming in Maharashtra, expanding the intended programme fourfold to reach 1,00,000 farmers.

This actual collaboration, launched in June 2022, reflects Bayer’s business strategy to steady its roots in agri-services in India while establishing farmer livelihoods through market-linked sustainability initiatives.

The company said, as of May 2025, the programme had assisted 25,000 soybean farmers in Maharashtra across 35,000 hectares. Through the expanded programme, it will now increase by more than five times to 200,000 hectares, making this one of the largest sustainability-focused soybean programmes in Maharashtra.

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Through the newly expanded partnership, agronomic assistance will be available to soybean growers not only in the three previously mentioned districts of Latur, Dharashiv, and Beed, but also in the following four new districts of Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Solapur. This will enable broader access to resources in these important soybean-producing areas.

The initiative is anchored in the ProTerra Foundation framework, with a deep principle on sustainable production management, biodiversity protection, programme monitoring, crop documentation, and post-harvest management. Bayer noted it has already begotten extensive training on good agricultural practices and integrated pest management, reaching more than 58,000 farmers through audio bridge calls.

ADM’s agronomist teams also undergo regular training on crop cultivation and responsible pesticide management to ensure consistent on-ground execution. “By leveraging ADM's market linkages and global resources, we aim to equip 1,00,000 farmers with the tools to strengthen economic resilience,” said Amrendra Mishra, Managing Director of Ag Services and Oilseeds and Country Manager India at ADM.