The world’s first sustainable castor bean program, Pragati, has completed nine years of operation, marking major gains in farmer certification, crop yields, water efficiency, and women’s empowerment.

 

Launched in May 2016 by Arkema, BASF, Jayant Agro-Organics and implementation partner Solidaridad, the initiative has grown into a large-scale sustainability model for castor cultivation in India. Today, more than 10,000 farmers are certified under the program, farming over 12,000 hectares of semi-arid land in line with the SuCCESS sustainability code.

 

The results are striking.

 

In the 2024–2025 season, Pragati farmers achieved yields 32% higher than government estimates for the entire state. Since inception, more than 140,000 tons of certified castor seeds have been cultivated.

 

Water efficiency has also improved dramatically. The program reports a 30% reduction in on-farm water use compared to conventional cultivation, driven by the adoption of efficient irrigation practices.

 

Safety and farmer welfare have been central to the project’s expansion. More than 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed, ensuring every project farmer now has access to proper safety gear. Over 150 medical camps have been organized across project villages, benefiting thousands of farmers, farm workers, and their families.

 

Capacity building continues to power the initiative. This year alone, more than 450 training sessions were conducted, while over 500 lead farmers were trained to strengthen peer-to-peer learning across communities.

 

Women’s participation remains a defining pillar of Pragati’s impact. During the 2024–25 season, more than 1,150 women farmers received targeted training in good agricultural practices and financial planning. 

 

Through structured programs, exposure visits, and improved access to government welfare information, the initiative is reinforcing women’s roles as decision-makers within both the castor value chain and their households.

 

For farmers like Patel Sharmistha Jagnish Ben of Mehsana district, Gujarat, the change has been transformative.

 

“Farming is my only means to support my family. Through the Pragati program, I learned sustainable farming practices that improved my soil health and increased my yields, while also reducing my dependence on expensive chemical inputs. 

 

"The training gave me confidence, not only to manage my farm better but also to make financial decisions for my family. Today, I support my children’s education and help other women farmers in my village adopt safe and sustainable farming practices. Pragati has truly helped me move towards self-reliance and progress.”

 

Nine years on, Pragati stands as a proof point that sustainable agriculture — when backed by strong partnerships, farmer training, and inclusive practices — can deliver measurable environmental gains, higher productivity, and lasting social impact.