The SBI Foundation LEAP (Livelihood Enhancement through Agri-Entrepreneurship Program), implemented by Syngenta Foundation India (SFI) in Dhar and Jhabua districts of Madhya Pradesh, continues to strengthen rural livelihoods by nurturing local Agri-Entrepreneurs (AEs) and improving last-mile delivery of agricultural services.
Through business incubation, skill development, and financial inclusion initiatives, the project is enabling smallholders to access timely inputs, technical advisory, and market linkages, thereby improving productivity and incomes across the region.
Key Activities in September 2025
- Agri-Entrepreneur Incubation: One new AE was onboarded this month, taking the total to 300 AEs incubated and 317 trained to date. These AEs are actively delivering a range of services including agri-inputs, mechanization, poultry, goat farming, and digital banking to over 8,350 smallholder farmers.
- Nursery Business Expansion: A total of 41 nursery structures were booked and delivered to AEs, with 36 installed and 30 fully paid. These nurseries are now producing high-quality seedlings that support both AE income and farmer productivity.
- Farmer Engagement: A total of 90 meetings were conducted—59 by AE Mentors (AEMs) and 31 by AEs—reaching 1,331 farmers. The sessions focused on input use, market linkages, and awareness on AE-led services.
- Financial Empowerment: 223 AEs applied for grant support; 140 have already received funds to expand their enterprises across various archetypes including nursery, poultry, goatery, and digital services.
- Policy Linkages & Registration: 84 AEs obtained Udyam Registration, gaining official MSME recognition and access to credit and government schemes. Under the PMFME Scheme, 156 new applications were submitted for processing support and subsidy assistance.
- Field Demonstrations & Exposure Visits: 10 Kharif demonstration plots were inspected and 214 farmers participated in exposure visits to observe improved practices and crop performance.
- Farmer Producer Company (FPC) Formation: The project is facilitating the creation of 3 new FPCs. 23 Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) have been completed for board members, marking steady progress toward formal registration.
Impact Snapshot
- 300 AEs incubated, covering diverse archetypes such as nursery, poultry, goatery, and digital banking.
- 1,331 farmers reached through capacity-building and awareness programs.
- 41 nursery structures established, promoting climate-resilient horticulture.
- 140 AEs received grants, strengthening enterprise sustainability.
- 84 AEs registered under Udyam, unlocking MSME benefits and financial inclusion.
- 156 PMFME applications submitted to promote food processing enterprises.
Archetype-Wise Distribution
| Archetype | No. of AEs | Monthly Transactions (₹) |
| Digital Banking | 111 | 87,02,081 |
| Goatery | 76 | 13,93,951 |
| Poultry | 24 | 3,30,347 |
| Agri Input | 14 | 38,09,612 |
| Agri Output | 21 | 7,89,133 |
| Nursery | 34 | 6,63,317 |
| Processing Unit | 15 | 3,01,770 |
| Farm Mechanization | 3 | 78,140 |
| Vermicompost | 6 | 1,28,948 |
| Others (Veterinary, Cattle Feed, Milk Collection) | 4 | 2,20,429 |
The SBI Foundation LEAP Project is steadily transforming the agri-entrepreneurship landscape in Madhya Pradesh by enabling youth-led enterprise development, expanding access to finance, and fostering institutional linkages. By integrating digital banking, agri-advisory, and business incubation, the initiative continues to strengthen the resilience and income security of smallholder farmers across Dhar and Jhabua.
