Every farm has its own unique challenges, making customised advice important. Sahbhaagi, a rural micro-entrepreneurship development program by Bayer in India, offers opportunities for farmers, women, and rural youth. Participants learn good agricultural practices and about Bayer products so that they can offer personalised advice to growers.
The program aims to prepare participants to become agricultural advisors and entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to better long-term crop solutions and rural development.
Bayer believes in working closely with farmers to solve problems. Labhsutra is a unique concept that helps increase farmer income in India through integrated solutions, including seed and crop protection products and expert advice. The program divides a farmer’s land into two parts, one using Bayer products and the other with the farmer’s usual approach. Farmers using Labhsutra have increased crop quality and profitability. Labhsutra educates farmers about pest control, soil testing, seeds, and weather prediction to promote sustainable agriculture. This initiative improves yields, quality, and profitability, which improves farmers’ economic well-being.
Your Seal Against Fake ProductsFarmRise is a product authentication tool that helps Indian farmers check the authenticity of Bayer Crop Science products. The tool involves scanning the QR code on the Bayer Safety Seal using the Bayer Seal Scan App. This provides instant feedback on the product’s originality. The app is available for download on Google Play and is a simple, quick, and reliable method for farmers to verify the authenticity of Bayer Crop Science products. The tool reflects Bayer’s commitment to product safety, quality, and protecting farmers from counterfeit products.
Download the app and scan the QR code on the product to know more.
Bayer has a zero-tolerance approach against counterfeit seeds and crop protection products. We implement a comprehensive global strategy that includes supply chain initiatives, close collaboration with authorities, active membership in industry working groups, and partnerships with organisations combating counterfeits.
Bayer stresses clear regulations for business partners, runs training and awareness campaigns, and develops safety features to distinguish authentic products. Through these efforts, Bayer aims to prevent the production, transport, and use of counterfeit agricultural products globally.
Bayer has developed an agricultural system for direct-seeding rice that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45%, and save water by up to 40%, and cut labour costs by up to 50%. The direct-seeded rice system involves planting seeds directly into fields, reducing the need for seedlings in nurseries, and then moving them into waterlogged paddies.
By 2030, Bayer aims to bring direct-seeded rice to one million hectares and support two million early adopter-smallholder farmers and their families in India. This strategy is expected to increase the sustainability and profitability of smallholder rice producers.
Bayer Solutions Stores provides farmers with complete solutions from seed to harvest under one roof. These stores have agro advisors that provide expert advice on crop management and related issues. This includes the proper use of crop protection chemicals and the use of proper cultivation methods according to local conditions. The aim is to be a reliable partner for farmers across India, ensuring healthy crops, reliable harvests, and stable returns.
Bayer’s Food Chain Partnership is an innovative business model that collaborates with farmers, traders, processors, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture. With over 240 partnerships in 30 countries, Bayer supports farmers with novel products and advice, ensuring better market access and higher yields. Processors benefit from traceability and quality improvements.
Exporters and importers benefit from compliance expertise, reducing risks. Retailers offer high-quality produce, consistent supply, and competitive prices, earning consumer trust. This sustainable strategy tackles environmental, societal, and economic concerns while ensuring consumers that their food is produced sustainably.
Bayer’s Better Life Farming is a collaborative initiative that promotes new farming practices to support rural communities. The focus is to provide smallholder farmers with innovative agricultural solutions, such as seeds, crop protection, and drip irrigation, to increase their agricultural potential. Through training and sustainable farming practices, Bayer aims to promote food security, reduce poverty, and build meaningful public-private partnerships in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Bayer supports small farmers across India by offering targeted assistance to increase their productivity. Farmers face a diverse set of issues, be it unpredictable weather, pests, diseases, or changing market trends. Bayer actively promotes information and customises advisory services to local needs, supporting farmers to increase their agricultural productivity.
In 2014, Bayer launched a national hotline where farmers can get advice from local agri-experts at 11 contact centres across India.
The helpline is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Furthermore, Bayer supports farmers through field officers, trade partners, and Bayer Solution Stores.
Bayer has launched its carbon initiative with the aim of decreasing in-field emissions of greenhouse gases by 30% by the year 2030 through innovative agricultural practices such as direct seeded rice (DSR) alternate wetting and drying (AWD). These methods benefit farmers by reducing their carbon emissions while also increasing their crop quality and yield. By incentivizing farmers to adopt carbon-friendly techniques, Bayer promotes agricultural innovation and sustainability and contributes to global climate action.
Bayer’s commitment to sustainability is strongly integrated into its business strategy, which emphasises the significance of social, economic, and environmental sustainability measures. Bayer has incorporated sustainability requirements into their research and development. Additionally, the ‘Leaps by Bayer’ division invests in revolutionary life science solutions, while its foundations support social innovation.
