San Francisco Frontiers - Struggling farmers find hope in India co-operative

Agriculture is the backbone of India's rural-driven economy, employing more than 700 million people. But the industry has been mired in crisis for decades, with slow‑moving reforms and growing vulnerability to climate change.

Often burdened by debts and crop failure, more than 3,090 farmers killed themselves in Maharashtra between 2022 and 2024.

"This new variety is better suited to the climate," says Waghchaure, gesturing to the perfectly round, firm and sweet grapes that will soon be on European supermarket shelves thousands of kilometres away.

The 42‑year‑old credits Sahyadri Farms, a cooperative launched in 2011 by 110 small growers, which helps members cut costs and gain access to markets.

Today, Sahyadri Farms is India's leading exporter of grapes and a major supplier of tomatoes, mangoes and cashew nuts, processing 385,000 tonnes of produce last year.

More than 95 percent of its 30,000 members own less than a hectare of land.

- 'Compete internationally' -

"The biggest problem in Indian agriculture is the small size of farms," says Santosh Watpade, the cooperative's chief financial officer.

"A producer on his own cannot compete internationally. Joining forces is the only solution."

A trade deal with the United States announced this month angered Indian farmers' unions, who argued that a flood of cheap US imports would rob local producers of their livelihoods. It is not clear how the agreement would impact the cooperative.

"The farmer is at the centre of our model, which offers access to markets and long‑term profitability," Watpade told AFP.

Waghchaure used to tend a two-hectare vegetable plot before joining Sahyadri Farms in 2012.

He now manages six hectares of vineyards, employing 15 workers and cashing in 4.5 to 5 million rupees ($50,000-$55,000) profit per year.

"My income has been rising," Waghchaure says, his eyes lighting up.

The cooperative's origins go back to farmer Vilas Shinde, who realised that producers "can achieve so much more" by working together, after he repeatedly failed to export his grapes, Watpade told AFP.

"He invested his own capital and reinvested everything he earned."

Pankaj Nathe joined Sahyadri Farms in the cooperative's early days, and now heads agricultural research and certification, developing grape varieties more resilient to erratic weather.

Seedless white Thompson grapes for years dominated Indian vineyards, but shifting weather patterns, including unexpected rain at the start of this year, now cause the berries to burst, sometimes wiping out entire harvests.

- Cash injection -

"We started planting new varieties better adapted to climate extremes and foreign consumer demand," Nathe said.

The cooperative, which also trains farmers on curbing excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, has expanded its operations with the help of external investment.

Diane Jegam, South Asia director at Proparco -- a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD) -- fell in love with the project during a visit to Sahyadri in 2022.

Later that year, Proparco joined a pool of investors who injected nearly $40 million into the cooperative.

The funds helped expand export markets, diversify crops, and finance a biogas plant and a microalgae facility for water recycling.

Around 6,500 staff -- 40 percent of whom are women -- sort, process and package fruits and vegetables in vast warehouses every day thanks to Proparco funds.

"It's an investment perfectly aligned with our goals -- protecting the planet and reducing inequalities by integrating smallholders and supporting farmer‑led enterprises," Jegam told AFP.

The cash has "accelerated everything," Watpade said.

"Ensuring a decent income for farmers will help curb problems like suicide and ensure that the next generation stays in agriculture."

W.Thompson--SFF