The IRise program, supported by Syngenta, is a high-impact rural youth empowerment initiative designed to re-energize agriculture by equipping young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to thrive in India’s agribusiness sector. Based on a robust 3E approach—Educate, Engage, and Elevate, the program combines a 30-day classroom module with a two-month field immersion to offer real-world exposure and career pathways.
Participants are trained not only in core agricultural practices but are also nurtured into becoming lead farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, or skilled employees in agribusiness companies. The initiative draws strength from industry-academia partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and grassroots transformation.
From January to March 2025, IRise has successfully trained 1,037 rural youths across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. With a long-term goal to reach 1 lakh youth across 10 states—including Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and others—IRise is rapidly emerging as a catalyst for rural livelihood generation and workforce readiness in agriculture.
Why IRise Matters
- Provides practical, employment-oriented training to rural youth
- Builds a skilled talent pool for India’s agricultural economy
- Reduces migration and improves household incomes
- Fosters entrepreneurship and community leadership
- Strengthens the agricultural value chain through local talent
With its learner-first approach and real-world exposure, IRise is a movement aiming to bring the future generation back to agriculture and ensure a vibrant, skilled, and resilient rural India.
