Yara India’s  latest Sustainability Report highlights the innovative NutriFarms project in partnership with HarvestPlus. This initiative is a key feature of Yara’s commitment to advancing agricultural sustainability and improving nutritional outcomes.

Globally, malnutrition remains a significant challenge. According to the World Bank, as of 2022, about 768 million people are undernourished, with sub-Saharan Africa and Asia being the most affected regions. Stunting (low height for age) affects 148 million children under five, and 45 million children are wasted (low weight for height). Additionally, over 340 million children suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger.”

HarvestPlus Solutions’ collaboration with Yara India through the NutriFarms program is testament of building partnerships in addressing nutritional challenges. Through this partnership, we aim to improve the nutritional quality of crops by enriching them with essential micronutrients. This program targets rural communities by focusing on staple crops like maize, wheat, and rice. The initial pilot involved over 400 farmers across five districts in Uttar Pradesh, India, with a focus on zinc wheat cultivation. Building on this success, the program is expanding its reach to encompass additional staple crops and extend its geographical footprint. This next phase will include broadening the program’s impact on nutrition and food security. By scaling up to new regions and working with a larger number of farmers, we aim to create a more resilient and sustainable food system. The expansion will also involve deeper engagement with local communities, government agencies, and private sector partners to ensure that biofortified crops become a standard part of agricultural practices.

The Sustainability Report highlights several key achievements of the NutriFarms program such as enhanced nutrition through biofortified staple crops, adoption of advanced agronomical practices, increased yields and resilience to environmental stresses thus helping farmers achieve food security and improved livelihoods. Furthermore, the NutriFarms project has empowered farmers with training and resources such as seed, adopt biofortified crops, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

HarvestPlus Solutions is proud to partner with Yara India on a transformative journey towards nutritional security, focusing on sustainable solutions to shape a nature-positive food future. “Our partnership is a significant step towards addressing nutritional challenges in India,” said Ravinder Grover, Global Business Manager at HarvestPlus Solutions. “By combining our expertise in biofortification with Yara’s innovative agricultural solutions, we are poised to make a substantial impact on making the food systems more nutritious and healthy,” he added.

Yara India is committed to transforming agriculture from ground up, focusing not just on yields but on the nutritional value of the food we grow. “Our partnership with HarvestPlus Solutions embodies this commitment. Together, we are tackling the critical challenge of malnutrition by enriching staple crops with essential micronutrients. This isn’t just about increasing productivity; it’s about cultivating a future where every harvest contributes to healthier lives and stronger communities,” said Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia.

Together, HarvestPlus Solutions and Yara India are committed to combat malnutrition and promote sustainable agriculture through innovative solutions. This collaboration brings together the expertise of the public, private, and development sectors to deploy cutting-edge technologies and best practices that not only increase crop yields but also enhance the nutritional value of staple crops. By leveraging advanced agricultural innovations, this partnership aims to empower farmers to produce more nutritious food while reducing environmental impact. This joint effort underscores our shared vision of a future where sustainable agriculture and improved nutrition go hand in hand, creating a healthier and more resilient world for all.