Kiran Ramnath Waghchaure beams as he plucks deep-red grapes from his vines in India’s Maharashtra state, one of thousands of farmers reaping the benefits of a cooperative bringing hope to a long-suffering sector.
Agriculture is the backbone of India’s rural-driven economy, employing more than 700 million people. But the industry has been mired in crisis for decades, with slow-moving reform and growing vulnerability to climate change.
Often burdened by debts and crop failure, more than 3,090 farmers killed themselves in Maharashtra between 2022 and 2024.
“This new variety is better suited to the climate,” says Waghchaure, gesturing to the perfectly round, firm and sweet grapes that will soon be on European supermarket shelves thousands of kilometres away.
The 42-year-old credits Sahyadri Farms, a cooperative launched in 2011 by 110 small growers, which helps members cut costs and gain access to markets.
Today, Sahyadri Farms is India’s leading exporter of grapes and a major supplier of tomatoes, mangoes and cashew nuts, processing 385,000 tonnes of produce last year.
However, more than 95% of its 30,000 members own less than a hectare of land.
“The biggest problem in Indian agriculture is the small size of farms,” says Santosh Watpade, the cooperative’s chief financial officer.
“A producer on his own cannot compete internationally. Joining forces is the only solution.”
A trade deal with the United States announced this month angered Indian farmers’ unions, who argued that a flood of cheap US imports would rob local producers of their livelihoods.
“The farmer is at the centre of our model, which offers access to markets and long-term profitability,” Watpade said.
Waghchaure used to tend a 2ha vegetable plot before joining Sahyadri Farms in 2012.
He now manages 6ha of vineyards, employing 15 workers and cashing in 4.5 to 5 million rupees (RM193,266 to RM214,740) in profit per year.
The cooperative’s origins go back to farmer Vilas Shinde, who realised that producers “can achieve so much more” by working together, after he repeatedly failed to export his grapes, Watpade said.
Pankaj Nathe joined Sahyadri Farms in the cooperative’s early days, and now heads agricultural research and certification, developing grape varieties more resilient to erratic weather.
Seedless white Thompson grapes for years dominated Indian vineyards, but shifting weather patterns, including unexpected rain at the start of this year, now cause the berries to burst, sometimes wiping out entire harvests.
“We started planting new varieties better adapted to climate extremes and foreign consumer demand,” Nathe said.
The cooperative, which also trains farmers on curbing excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, has expanded its operations with the help of external investment.
The cash has “accelerated everything,” Watpade said.
“Ensuring a decent income for farmers will help curb problems like suicide and ensure that the next generation stays in agriculture.” — AFP
