National, November 21, 2023

National, November 21, 2023: Yara India,

a subsidiary of Yara International and the world's leading crop nutrition company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HarvestPlus Solutions (HPS). HPS’s objective is to seamlessly incorporate nutrient-rich seeds and foods into global agricultural systems, empowering vulnerable communities to boost their intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

Together they are committed to the successful implementation of the project “Establishing Nutri-Farms with Smallholder Farmers in India.” To kickstart this comprehensive approach, a pilot program is underway, integrating 500 farmers in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh into the Zinc Wheat value chain. The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of the approach, with the ultimate aim of expanding its reach to benefit a larger number of farmers and communities in the future.The strategic partnership seeks to transform food systems through a focus on delivering nutritious food to all individuals, with a special emphasis on vulnerable communities. The project employs a comprehensive approach that combines the use of biofortified seeds with capacity strengthening of armers in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including efficient nutrient management. This approach aims to enhance farm productivity and bolster farmers' resilience toward food and nutrition security.

In ensuring a sustainable supply chain, the project facilitates the connection of farmers to relevant markets, enabling them to access businesses in the biofortified value chain. This not only contributes to improved food quality but also positively impacts the income and livelihoods of farmers. Additionally, the project fosters collaboration with public sector stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the adoption of nutrition-smart agricultural techniques.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjiv Kanwar, ManagingDirector, Yara South Asia said,

We are delighted to collaborate with HarvestPlus Solutions on a transformative journey towards nutritional security, focusing on sustainable solutions to shape a nature positive food future. Our partnership focuses on enhancing farm productivity, improving food quality, uplift farmer livelihoods and revolutionize food systems for a healthier and more resilient future.

Ravinder Grover, Regional Coordinator – Asia, HarvestPlus

said,” “We are excited to join hands with Yara India to set up nutrition smart farms in India. By combining our expertise, we aim to introduce innovative bundles that promote sustainable farming practices and enhance crop nutrition and yield. This collaboration stands as a testament to our shared dedication to building a healthier, more resilient future for communities around the world.”

About Yara India

Yara has been operating in India for more than two decades, since it began working with Indian growers to relook at the nutrition of their crops, in order to improve on yields and quality.  In 2011, Yara setup its own operations in the state of Maharashtra.  On 12 January 2018, Yara successfully acquired Tata Chemicals’ urea business relating to the company’s Babrala plant in Uttar Pradesh.  It was India’s first foreign direct investment in the highly regulated urea sector.  With this acquisition,Yara gained a significant position in northern India, with access to a strong network of 650-700 dealers and enhanced crop nutrition solutions to farmers in North India. Today, Yara India has a pan- India presence.  It is working closely with Indian farmers to fulfil the company’s mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet.

About HarvestPlus Solutions (HPS)

HPS is a non-profit entity established to address barriers to the scaling and distribution of biofortified seeds and food products to vulnerable populations. HPS builds upon the successful work conducted by HarvestPlus, a program of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), by translating its research findings into widespread action and integrating nutritious seeds and foods into agri-food systems globally, ensuring vulnerable communities can improve their vitamin and
mineral intake, especially for those whose diets are largely restricted to only staple foods, such as wheat, rice, and pearl millet. Together, HarvestPlus and HPS ensure that biofortified crops are scaled to reach target communities while providing value for consumers and market actors.