Monsanto has launched the Project SHARE (Sustainable Harvest - Agriculture, Resources, Environment), a sustainable yield initiative to improve farmer lives in India.
This project is as part of its global three-point commitment to help increase global food production in the face of growing demand, limited natural resources and a changing climate. It has promised to work in new partnerships with other businesses, citizen groups and Governments to meet one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.
Project SHARE, a pilot project in association with NGO ISAP (Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals), aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of 10,000 small-marginal cotton and corn farmers in 1100 villages across three States within four years by increasing their crop productivity.
Farming will be sustainable through access to higher-yielding seeds and agriculture inputs; training and education on best agronomic practices; formation of farmer groups to enable collective bargaining power; increased exposure to Krishi Vigyan Kendras, State Agriculture Universities, and modern technology demonstration units; creation of self-help groups (SHGs) for beneficiary household women; and better market linkages.
As per the experts, the global population will touch nine billion and demand for food is expected to double by 2050. It will be necessary to produce as much food between now and 2050 as was produced in the last 10,000 years. The Govt. of India estimates that Indias population will touch 1.3 billion by 2017 and that we may be short of 14 million MT of food grains.
Jerry Steiner, executive vice president, Monsanto Company stated, "We must meet the needs for increased food, fiber and energy while protecting the environment. The quality of life of the worlds one billion farmers is a critical part of the equation. As an agricultural company focused on increasing crop yields and the worlds largest investor in agriculture research, we will produce more, conserve more, and improve farmer lives. Project SHARE is part of our commitment in India."
Sekhar Natarajan, India Region Lead, Monsanto stated, "Project SHARE will make farming sustainable and improve the lives of 10,000 cotton and corn farmers in 1100 villages across three states. Monsanto has been partnering with Indias farmers for over four decades and we will continue our commitment to improve crop productivity and helping make India a global leader in agriculture. We believe it will take the power of partnerships by a diverse group of organizations with many points of view to work together and take action to address the daunting challenges facing us all."
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