Gram Unnati Ties Up with UP Government to Transition 100,000 Acre from Summer Paddy to Spring Maize

Four Leaf Clover Agro Pvt. Ltd. (Gram Unnati^TM), India’s first truly integrated agri solutions company, announced that it is getting into a strategic partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh for a massive transformative initiative aimed at diversifying crop cultivation.

The project was unveiled here at the IIA Bhawan under the Chairmanship of Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner / Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner & Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, and in the presence of Dr. K.V. Raju, Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of UP. 

The project, which is also supported by IFC’s India Agtech Advisory Project (IAAP) aims to shift 100,000 acres from summer paddy to spring maize across six districts in Western UP: Amroha, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Moradabad, Rampur, and Sambhal. Spanning a timeline of three to five years its overarching goal is to elevate farmer incomes and preserve vital natural resources.

Commenting on the launch of the project, Shri. Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS Agriculture Production Commissioner / Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner & Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh said: “This initiative marks a significant milestone in agricultural sustainability and socio-economic development in Western Uttar Pradesh. We are extremely delighted to have Gram Unnati as a valuable partner for a critical project that will lay the groundwork for a transformative journey toward sustainable agriculture. This project will showcase the potential for socio-economic progress through innovative crop diversification and will reap financial benefits for several farmers in these six districts of Uttar Pradesh.”

The primary objectives are to significantly enhance farmer incomes by 15% to 25% and to conserve crucial natural resources, including reducing water usage for irrigation by an impressive 60% to 80%.

An elated Aneesh Jain, CEO & Founder, Gram Unnati said: "We are greatly honored today to see the fruits of months of effort of fostering collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders come to life. Our commitment is to cultivate synergies among stakeholders, crafting a model that not only bolsters farmer prosperity but also champions environmental preservation. Facilitating partnerships between the government, maize processors, input suppliers, and other essential actors in the agricultural ecosystem is crucial for the project's success."

At the event, discussions revolved around a strategic roadmap aimed at transitioning the specified acreage to maize cultivation. Pertinent stakeholders, including farmers, maize processors, input suppliers, service providers, and others, actively participated, aligning their interests with the project's objectives.

About Gram Unnati: Gram Unnati is an agri-tech company providing i) advisory services, ii) access to high-quality inputs at low cost and iii) market linkages to marginal farmers along with iv) customized production, logistics and end-to-end quality control of agri produce to institutional buyers. The company was founded by IIT Kharagpur graduate Aneesh Jain in 2013.

He realized that farmers and buyers often fall prey to value traps due to the absence of a fully integrated platform. The company has a formidable advisory pool comprising seasoned agri professionals, ex-civil servants, and industry body representatives.