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New Delhi, January 20th, 2026: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), a leading agri-business company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM-UMED), to empower rural farmers and promote sustainable agriculture. The collaboration aligns with the United Nations’ observance of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) which spotlights critical role played by women in the agrifood systems and calls for actions to close gender gaps and strengthen livelihoods. This three-year partnership aims to mobilize Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and women farmers to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), improving farm productivity and creating resilient livelihoods.
In its first year, the program will focus on nine key cotton-growing districts; Nagpur, Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, Parbhani, Jalgaon, Beed, Akola, and Nanded; covering over 5,000 women farmers and more than 50,000 acres of farmland while engaging 100 SHGs per district. The initiative will scale up to support over 5000 SHGs across Maharashtra over the three-years, with plan to expand beyond cotton to maize and other crops.
Under the MoU, Godrej Agrovet will be working closely with MSRLM-UMED to conduct training workshops on GAP, IPM and safety practices; organize farmer field schools and demonstration plots; and distribute safety kits. MSRLM-UMED will facilitate mobilization and coordination through its SHG and Krishi Sakhi networks while Godrej Agrovet will fund and implement the program.
Commenting on the partnership, Shri Nilesh Sagar (IAS), CEO of the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM-UMED), stated, “Today’s MoU is in sync with our mission empowering rural women by strengthening the grassroot institutions and enhancing their livelihoods. Leveraging our network and Godrej Agrovet’s expertise, our intent is to ensure that our women farmers are well equipped with scientific crop management practises to manage their farms efficiently and improve the socio-economic fabric of rural Maharashtra.”
Sunil Kataria, CEO & MD, Godrej Agrovet, commented, “Indian agriculture is at a pivotal moment where productivity, sustainability, and inclusion must advance together. At Godrej Agrovet, we see women farmers as central to this transformation. As an organization committed to driving sustainable growth in Indian agriculture by combining research and community engagement, we are proud to partner with MSRLM-UMED. Through this partnership, we aim to equip women farmers with practical high-impact agronomy so they can achieve better yields and uplift their families. We are committed to building models that scale responsibly.”
Highlighting the technical focus of the initiative Rajavelu NK, CEO – Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet Ltd, added, “Maharashtra is one of India’s most important cotton-growing states, and the challenges faced by its farmers demand a science-led, region-specific approach. With right intervention at the right time being a key, this collaboration will act as a catalyst not only for immediate agronomic improvements but also to create a replicable, knowledge-led crop protection framework that can be scaled across geographies and crops over time.”
Emphasizing the broader impact of the collaboration, Rakesh Swami, Group President – Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Group, said “At Godrej Industries Group, People and Planet are at the heart of our purpose. This initiative with MSRLM-UMED is a strong example of how industry and public institutions can collaborate to drive meaningful social impact. Empowering women farmers not only enhances agricultural productivity but also strengthens rural communities thereby creating long-term impact for the state and country.”
By enabling women farmers to adopt scientific practices, access market networks, and take informed decisions, the initiative seeks to deliver lasting improvements in productivity, livelihoods, and rural resilience across Maharashtra.
