Image Source: Yara India

Yara India, a subsidiary of Yara International and the world’s leading crop nutrition company, proudly announced the graduation of its latest cohort from the transformative Capacity Building Programme, a flagship initiative designed to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This significant milestone marks the successful completion of a rigorous, MBA-inspired training program that has equipped participants with critical leadership and business management capabilities, with a particular focus on youth- and women-led businesses.

Launched in 2022, Yara’s 15-week Capacity Building Programme which is now transitioning into the Grow X platform equips MSMEs with essential leadership and business management skills while addressing challenges such as access to finance, knowledge, and talent. As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Yara also introduced the innovative “Plus One” model, enabling women and young family members of channel partners to participate and overcome cultural and gender-based barriers.

Speaking on the development, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said, “At Yara, we believe that true transformation in agriculture must be inclusive. Through this program, we are not just building capabilities; we are unlocking the potential of rural women and youth to become drivers of change in their communities.

Their success is a powerful validation of our belief that empowering one farmer, one family at a time, can lead to a more sustainable and equitable agricultural ecosystem. This effort resonates with the national push for women’s empowerment, particularly in agriculture, as seen in recent government initiatives under PM Modi’s leadership to support women self-help groups and provide them with enhanced access to technology and market linkages, further strengthening their role as ‘Krishi Sakhis’.

Out of the 196 women who successfully completed the training, 96 were female affiliates-wives, daughters, sisters, or mothers-of Yara’s channel partners. This showcases the effectiveness of the innovative “Plus One” model in extending opportunities within existing networks. Furthermore, 100 participants were women and young girls drawn directly from the Babrala plant community, including vital members of local self-help groups, underscoring Yara’s deep engagement with and dedication to uplifting rural women and youth at the grassroots level.

This inclusive approach not only broadened the program’s reach but also solidified its impact on fostering entrepreneurship and leadership among those traditionally underserved. This initiative represents a significant stride in Yara’s efforts to drive education, entrepreneurship, and digital empowerment within rural communities.

A key highlight of this graduation is the government certification of the training by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and the Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC). This prestigious accreditation not only validates the program’s high quality but also significantly enhances the credibility and employability of its graduates, opening doors to new opportunities and economic growth.