ADM, Bayer extend Indian sustainable soybean program

ADM and Bayer announced a three-year extension of their partnership in India to strengthen sustainable soybean farming practices.

The program, which launched in 2022, will expand from 25,000 to 100,000 farmers and scale soybean cultivation from 35,000 to 200,000 hectares. Coverage will be expanded to seven districts, including Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli and Solapur, up from the previous focus on Latur, Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), and Beed.

The partnership successfully reached 25,000 farmers by May 2025, achieving its targets and laying a strong foundation for further scale, the companies said. It draws from a credible sustainability framework, the ProTerra Foundation, with a focus on five critical areas of supply chain sustainability: customized production management (production); tailored spray programs that emphasize pre-harvest intervals and biodiversity protection (protection); professional implementation guidance (program monitoring); detailed crop-management documentation (passport); and collaborative post-harvest pest management expertise (post-harvest management).

Complementing these efforts, Bayer led in-person and digital training programs to strengthen farmers’ capacity in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), biodiversity, and sustainability practices. Through a combination of model demonstration plots and large-scale outreach, the company has engaged thousands of growers, including connecting with over 58,000 farmers through audio bridge calls on Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-based crop management, Bayer said. Across project districts, Bayer also has delivered hundreds of pre-sowing and crop-management camps, while a carefully chosen cohort of farmers underwent rigorous BayGAP training to adopt globally benchmarked sustainable farming practices.

In parallel, ADM’s cluster agronomist team receives regular training on comprehensive crop cultivation practices, including nutrient and pesticide management schedules, as well as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), ADM said. This equips them to guide farmers effectively in implementing sustainable practices while safeguarding the economic viability of farming communities.

ADM said it has leveraged its network in India, which spans origination, oilseed processing, commodities trading, and animal and human nutrition, to deepen support for farming communities. This includes on-the-ground engagement through its Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs), a network of more than 50 crop-development and procurement centers.

Together, Bayer and ADM will continue to apply the same training and sustainable farming practices in their extended partnership, the companies said.

“Our extended partnership with Bayer reflects a long-term vision to safeguard food systems and foster a resilient future,” said Amrendra Mishra, managing director of ag services and oilseeds and country manager India, ADM. “By leveraging ADM’s market linkages and global resources, we aim to equip 100,000 farmers with the tools to strengthen economic resilience, enhance sustainable livelihoods, and lead the future of Indian agriculture through practices that advance environmental and supply chain sustainability.”

Simon Wiebusch, country divisional head — Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, said sustainable development in agriculture cannot be achieved in isolation.

“Our expanded collaboration with ADM demonstrates what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to farmer prosperity, climate-smart practices, and responsible stewardship,” Wiebusch said. “By scaling proven solutions across Maharashtra, we aim to help farmers improve yields sustainably while building a more resilient, future-ready agri-ecosystem.”

Tags: ADM, soybean, India