The Syngenta Foundation India, in collaboration with EDF, continues to advance sustainable farming through its ‘Promotion of CSA through Agri-Entrepreneur Network’ initiative. April 2025 was marked by impactful trainings, business launches, and strategic field visits that strengthened both knowledge and implementation of climate-smart practices across Satara and Wardha districts in Maharashtra.
Empowering Agri-Entrepreneurs in Satara
On April 9–10, a comprehensive CSA Training & Certificate Distribution Program was organized at the Central Sugarcane Research Station in Padegaon, Satara. With 41 climate-smart AEs already operating successfully, the program celebrated the addition of 34 newly trained AEs, who were awarded certificates after completing their CSA training.
- Day 1 featured expert sessions led by Dr. Bhilare (Head, Sugarcane Research), who provided valuable insights into 100 MT sugarcane production systems and new sugarcane varieties. Refresher training was also conducted by Mr. Samir Mirza and Dr. Gajanan Rajurkar on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Nitrogen Balance applications.
- Day 2 saw the inauguration of two new AE-led businesses—an Input Shop and a Vermicompost Unit, signaling further expansion of CSA-based entrepreneurial models. Field visits to existing AE businesses also facilitated peer learning and focused discussions on practical CSA interventions, including stubble management and fertilizer optimization.
Strengthening Climate-Smart Agriculture in Wardha
A two-day refresher training held on April 28–29 in Wardha brought together 86 Master Trainers to review and reinforce best practices for Cotton and Wheat-based CSA systems. Led by experts Mr. Samir Mirza and Mr. Udaya Vaddi, the sessions covered End-of-Season assessments and Nitrogen Balance Surveys, preparing trainers for the upcoming 2025–26 season.
The month concluded on April 30 with farmer field interactions, which offered direct insights into how CSA advisories, particularly those focused on input reduction, have influenced productivity. These interactions also enabled the re-validation of the Kobo survey tool, ensuring robust data collection in the next cycle.
CASE STUDY: Sowing Sustainability – The Journey of Mr. Sagar Adik, a CSA Sugarcane Farmer
In the quiet village of Khanapur in Maharashtra’s Shrirampur block, a young, educated farmer is redefining how sugarcane can be cultivated—sustainably and profitably. Mr. Sagar Adik, lives with his family of five and manages eight acres of farmland where he grows sugarcane, wheat, cotton, and maize. For years, farming was his family’s primary source of livelihood, yet the returns were modest—an annual income of around ₹1,00,000.
Sagar initially followed conventional farming practices, particularly for sugarcane. The method involved planting cane setts, repeated tillage, and reliance on chemical fertilizers. These methods came with their own burden—high costs, degrading soil health, and inconsistent yields. Add to that the mounting challenges of climate change—unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures—and the outlook for his farm became increasingly uncertain.
That changed when Sagar joined the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Village Program introduced by Syngenta Foundation India (SFI) in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Motivated by the promise of reducing input costs and improving crop productivity, he began adopting a set of climate-resilient farming practices that transformed his approach—and his outcomes.
CSA Interventions Implemented
Mr. Adik embraced multiple CSA innovations that transformed his farming outcomes:
- Seedling-based Cultivation: Switched from cane setts (germination ~65%) to healthy seedlings of CO 265 variety (germination ~98%), leading to uniform and infection-free crop stands.
- Drip Irrigation: Improved water-use efficiency, reduced irrigation cycles, and enabled fertigation (combined fertilizer and irrigation).
- Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Adopted a balanced approach using organic compost, NPK fertilizers, and biofertilizers to rejuvenate soil health.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Used biological control methods and traps, reducing chemical pesticide use to just one spray per season.
Results and Impact
| Parameter | Before (Cane Setts) | After (CSA Seedlings) |
| Germination Rate | ~65% | >98% |
| Yield per Acre | 40 tons | 50 tons (↑25%) |
| Cultivation Cost | ₹55,000 | ₹50,000 (↓9%) |
| Input Cost Reduction | – | ↓14% |
| Water Usage | High | ↓20% (due to drip) |
| Crop Uniformity | Irregular | Significantly Improved |
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. Understanding the nuances of seedling transplantation, learning to manage drip systems, and trusting new methods took time and training. But with support from field experts and hands-on experience, Sagar adapted quickly—and is now a vocal advocate for CSA in his community.
Looking ahead, he plans to extend CSA practices to his entire landholding. He also aims to enhance organic composting and further reduce chemical pesticide use by strengthening biological controls.
