Greetings from Grameen Foundation for Social Impact !

For Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), productivity alone does not ensure long-term sustainability. What truly determines their ability to endure and thrive is entrepreneurial thinking, along with how well they are structured, governed, and managed as enterprises. Fit-for-purpose operational arrangements are therefore critical to the success of FPOs. In this context, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI) has piloted a hub-and-spoke model with FPOs in Uttar Pradesh, generating valuable learnings and encouraging results.

In December, we facilitated an exposure visit for 11 youth leaders and farmers from the Chitrakoot Child Development Program, supported by the Vigyan Foundation, to GFSI’s partner FPOs in Mirzapur and Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The visit enabled participants to observe the operational models of successful rural enterprises firsthand, moving beyond conventional agricultural advisory to introduce them to the principles of entrepreneurship and enterprise-led growth in rural communities.

Participants were connected with well-established FPOs in Mirzapur and Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, to closely observe how successful producer companies function as businesses, balancing compliance, operations, innovation, and market engagement.

At Navchetna Agro FPO in Mirzapur, the group examined the legal and administrative foundations of a producer company. They gained insights into statutory compliance, director identification, governance structures, and working capital management, all of which are essential for building sustainable enterprises. The visit also highlighted entrepreneurial diversification through initiatives such as the Mitti DIDI soil testing labs and rural tourism ventures, demonstrating how FPOs can expand beyond trading into service-led revenue models.

At Sathiyaon FPO in Azamgarh, the focus shifted to enterprise-driven value addition. Participants observed how multi-layer farming systems and small-scale processing units transform raw produce like Moringa and Amla into branded, market-ready products. This illustrated how rural enterprises can retain value at the source and strengthen farmer incomes through market-oriented approaches.

We believe that established FPOs play a vital role in mentoring emerging ones. Witnessing profitable models in action provided participants with more than technical knowledge. It offered clear evidence that rural entrepreneurship is both viable and scalable. This peer-to-peer learning bridges the gap between theory and practice and equips future leaders with practical insights as they return to Chitrakoot to build their own farmer-led enterprises.

Payal has always believed that education could change the course of her life.

When we first met her in 2019, she was a young student with immense potential but limited opportunities. She was eager to learn, to participate, and to grow, yet financial constraints often stood in her way. With sustained support through the Mariam- Lakshyavati initiative, Payal began actively engaging in school activities, discovering her confidence and consistently excelling in academics and competitions.

As she completed her schooling and enrolled in higher studies, her journey needed a new kind of support.

That is when the Mariam—Lakshyavati-ki-Udaan initiative, funded by the Mullins Family scholarship initiative, began supporting Payal, ensuring that her transition from school to higher education was smooth and uninterrupted. Through Mariam—Lakshyavati-ki-Udaan, she received continued assistance to manage her academic journey and focus fully on her future.

Payal chose to pursue studies in the pharmacy stream, driven by a clear vision for her future. Having seen her father’s small shop close, she now dreams of opening her own medical shop, one that can provide stability for her family and independence for herself. She is aspiring to become a successful entrepreneur.

Alongside her education, she became a mehendi artist and, side by side, developed a strong interest in weightlifting.

Through Mariam—Lakshyavati-ki-Udaan, we continue to stand beside Payal as she pursues higher education after school. The bursary helps her manage essential educational and related needs, ensuring that financial constraints do not become a barrier to her progress.

Through continued educational support and encouragement of her interests, Payal is pursuing higher studies and working towards a bright future as an entrepreneur and weightlifter.

AgriPath

Under the AgriPath program, the goal is to scale sustainable agriculture by identifying, evaluating, and promoting effective pathways for digitally supported agricultural advisory services. These services enable both female and male smallholders to make informed decisions, enhancing their agricultural productivity, income, and climate resilience in a sustainable manner.

In December 2025, under AgriPath in India, meaningful progress was made in strengthening digital agriculture and rural entrepreneurship in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The initiative expanded across more than 32 villages in Varanasi and Mirzapur, reaching over 1,000 farmers through collaborations with five Farmer Producer Organisations and two partner organisations. By strengthening access to timely agricultural advisories, AgriPath supported farmers in improving productivity while enabling them to make informed decisions as farm entrepreneurs.

A key achievement during the month was the strengthening of local extension leadership. Champion extension agents were equipped to guide farmers in using digital advisory services, helping smallholders diversify practices, manage risks, and explore income-enhancing opportunities. This shift from information access to decision-making support reinforced the role of farmers not just as cultivators, but as agri-entrepreneurs managing their own enterprises.

December also marked significant progress in research and knowledge leadership. Evidence generated through AgriPath received international recognition, with a paper titled “Reviving Indigenous Farming Knowledge in an Input-Intensive Agriculture System: Evidence from Eastern Uttar Pradesh” accepted in the journal Frontiers with an impact factor of 3.1. Another major study, “Phygital extension drives climate-resilient smallholder transitions: Evidence from a large-scale randomized trial in India,” was submitted for publication, strengthening India’s voice in global discussions on innovation-led agricultural growth.

AgriPath’s on-ground experience was further highlighted at the Food Systems Summit India 2025, held on 16–17 December. Insights from AgriPath’s randomized control trial were shared with policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders, donors, and farmer representatives, showcasing how digital and field-based extension models can empower farmers to scale their operations sustainably and improve incomes.

The month concluded with the successful completion of an Engagement Hub initiative focused on enhancing capacity and adoption of digital advisory services among agricultural agents. By strengthening this support ecosystem, AgriPath contributed to building pathways where farmers can transition from subsistence to entrepreneurial, climate-resilient farming systems.

Through expanded reach, strengthened extension leadership, and nationally and internationally recognised research, AgriPath in December 2025 demonstrated how innovation and entrepreneurship together can transform smallholder agriculture.