The United States Helps Indian Farmers Compete Globally

January 23, 2008

MAHARASHTRA –Support from the U.S. government helped Radhakrishna Foodland Pvt. Ltd. and the Nandani Farmer Cooperative sign an agreement today establishing Nandani Farmer Cooperative as the primary supplier for Foodland, increasing profits for farmers and providing a reliable supply of quality fresh produce for Foodland.

Nandani and Foodland were brought together by the Growth Oriented Micro-enterprise Development program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Foodland will buy a set amount of produce based on a schedule developed by the two partners and provide support services to the cooperative farmers. The farmers will produce the type, specifications and volume of vegetables and fruit required by Foodland.

USAID is also working with farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to strengthen the capabilities of small-scale vegetable and fruit farmers and to link them with higher value markets.