Greetings from Grameen Foundation for Social Impact !

As part of the Market Access eNabled by Digital Innovation in India (MANDI-II) project, supported by the Walmart Foundation, a National Learning & Knowledge Dissemination Workshop was hosted on 14 October 2025 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The workshop convened changemakers, innovators, institutions, and ecosystem actors to exchange learnings, showcase models, and explore pathways to strengthen the FPC ecosystem and enhance income and resilience for smallholder farmers, especially women. Click here

Key highlights included:

• Insightful presentations on MANDI-II’s impact, women-led FPC models, and digital innovations.
• Launches of the FPC Journal, Bhumisutaa Mustard Oil (a brand by four partner FPCs from East Bardhaman, WB), and a video on gender-led interventions.
• Panel discussions and fireside chats on collaboration, blended finance, inclusion, and FPC sustainability, featuring representatives from FPOs, government departments, financial institutions, and development partners.
• Credit linkage of ₹85 lakh facilitated for four partner FPCs, with sanction letters handed over in the presence of Hon. Mrs. Pratibha Shukla, Minister of State, Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

The event reaffirmed a collective commitment to advancing scale, sustainability, and shared prosperity across India’s agri landscape.

A heartfelt thank you to all partners, speakers, and participants for making the day a success!

Asmita Prakash Dhurve, a determined young girl from Bhandara, carries not just her dreams, but the hopes of her entire family. A few years ago, tragedy struck when her father passed away in an accident, leaving her mother to raise four daughters on a meager income. As the eldest, Asmita took on responsibilities far beyond her age, supporting her mother, guiding her younger sisters through school, and helping manage the household. Despite these challenges, she never let go of her dream: to become an engineer.

In 2019, when Asmita was in the 8th standard, she began receiving a bursary of ₹500 per month from Mariam- Lakshyavati initiative of GFSI, which she used wisely for books, stationery, tuition fees, and personal hygiene products. This financial support played a crucial role in sustaining her education through the difficult years that followed. In 2024, her bursary amount was increased to ₹750 per month, further easing her educational expenses.

That same year, after successfully completing her 12th standard, Asmita faced yet another hurdle. With limited family resources, affording higher education seemed almost impossible. Undeterred, she enrolled in BCA at J.D. College of Engineering and Management, moving to Nagpur to focus on her studies. She balances academics with supporting her family, helping her mother with chores and assisting her sisters with schoolwork. Beyond her responsibilities, Asmita nurtures her creativity, producing beautiful drawings that reflect her vibrant spirit and resilience.

Asmita’s journey was made possible through the continuous support of the bursary, which covers tuition fees, exam fees, travel, stationery, and other essential expenses. This support has enabled her to pursue her education without sacrificing her family’s well-being.

Asmita’s story is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the transformative power of support. Even in the face of hardship, she continues to rise, inspiring everyone around her with her dedication, talent, and unwavering hope. Her journey reminds us that with determination and the right support, no obstacle is too great to overcome.

Vanita Anjilal Patle, a graduate from Karti Bujruk village in Tirora, Gondia, always dreamed of making a difference in her community. Living with her husband and two children, she initially worked as a VO Accountant, but her income was limited, and her ambitions felt restrained.

In 2022, everything changed when she met Mr. Prashant Ramteke, who introduced her to Grameen Foundation for Social Impact. Inspired by its mission to enable the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger, Vanita decided to join as a Grameen Mitra.

She started by facilitating digital transactions through the GMC app, equipped with full training, a Grameen Mitra certificate, ID, banner, bag, and biometric device. With mentorship from Mr. Ramteke, her confidence and earnings steadily grew.

Not stopping there, Vanita expanded her services and started selling sanitary napkins to promote menstrual hygiene in her village.

Through the “Testing Innovations in the BC Channel” program of GFSI, she was introduced to the Scanbo smart health device, a non-CICO product designed to provide basic health checkups. At first, Vanita felt unsure about operating the device, but with proper training and continuous guidance, she quickly mastered it.

She began by introducing the Scanbo health screening services to her regular banking customers. Gradually, she expanded her outreach, organizing Bachat Gat (Self-Help Group) meetings, demonstrating the device, and collaborating with ASHA workers to reach more households, spreading awareness about preventive health checkups across her community.

Her dedication paid off: in October, Vanita became the Top Performer, conducting 48 health screenings and earning an additional ₹400.

Vanita’s journey is a testament to how guidance, perseverance, and self-belief can transform a woman from limited means to a community leader and changemaker.

"I am truly thankful to Grameen Foundation for Social Impact for bringing such a positive change in my life," she says proudly.

AgriPath

AgriPath is a unique, multi-country Random Control Trial which seeks to determine the most effective extension pathway to enable adoption of sustainable land management practices (SLMP) among farmers. The project has entered an exciting phase as the evaluation results of the RCT are trickling in. Preliminary results clearly indicate that use of Digital Advisory Services (DAS) enhances SLMP adoption among farmers manifolds, as compared to the status quo or business as usual state. Further, use of agents alongside DAS (=hybrid model) is more effective than the Agent only or Self (farmer using DAS on her/his own) models in most cases. GFI, with other consortium partners and under the able guidance of ICIPE and CDE plans to complete analysis of RCT findings and disseminate the insights among public and private stakeholders, especially using the engagement platforms supported by GIZ.

AgriPath Sensitisation Workshop: Turning Digital Tools into Action
Lucknow | 15th October 2025 | Organised by Grameen Foundation India (GFI)

When policymakers, researchers, AgTech innovators, and field actors came together in Lucknow, the goal was clear: how can digital tools truly reach farmers and drive sustainable practices? The AgriPath Sensitisation Workshop focused on bridging the gap between innovation and adoption, exploring how Digital Advisory Services (DAS) can transform agriculture.

Technology Meets Behavioural Change

Ms. Bharati Joshi, CEO of GFI, highlighted a simple truth: technology alone is not enough. Adoption happens when it is paired with behavioural change. Echoing this, Dr. B.P. Singh, Senior Scientist, UP Agrees, encouraged participants to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovation in agriculture.
From an international perspective, Dr. Anthony of IRRI reminded attendees that healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable farming, while Mr. Naveen Garg, GIZ India, showed how data can make farming more nutrition-sensitive and impactful.

Blending Digital and Field Engagement

A major highlight was AgriPath’s hybrid model, presented by Dr. H.S. Roopa, GFI. By combining digital advisory tools with on-the-ground support, the program reaches 50,000 farmers and 150 extension agents, helping them adopt practices such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and precision nutrient management.
Adding evidence to the approach, Ms. Sarita Mishra, Research Scholar, shared RCT findings proving that hybrid and agent-based models achieve the highest adoption of sustainable practices. In other words, blended learning works and it works well.

Voices from the Field

Real impact was brought to life by Agri-Entrepreneurs and extension agents:

• Women farmers are now using the Farmbetter App for real-time guidance.
• Demonstration plots help reduce costs while improving yields.
• Women extension agents are becoming trusted community leaders, driving adoption locally.

Collaboration in Action

The workshop underscored that scaling DAS requires more than tools; it needs policies, partnerships, and inclusive design. Panelists called for:

• Data-sharing frameworks and standardization
• Gender-responsive AgTech solutions
• Collaboration among researchers, innovators, and government agencies

Mr. Amber Kumar Rai, GFI, showcased the AgriPath Engagement Hub, a platform connecting farmers, FPOs, extension workers, and digital providers to co-learn, build capacity, and promote sustainable practices.

The Takeaway

The AgriPath Workshop reaffirmed a powerful idea: inclusive digital ecosystems start with dialogue, alignment, and evidence-based approaches. By combining technology, behavioural change, and field insights, Digital Advisory Services can drive sustainable, nutrition-sensitive, and resilient agriculture on a scale.