Project Sahyog: Driving Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurial Success

Roots Foundation, in collaboration with Pi Foundation, is spearheading Project Sahyog to revolutionize the agricultural sector by integrating modern technology with traditional farming practices. With a strong focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and rural entrepreneurship, the initiative is empowering farmers and youth across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand

Project Sahyog tackles the challenges faced by farmers by introducing them to the latest farming equipment and innovative techniques. The initiative not only educates farmers on modern agricultural practices but also provides rural youth with business opportunities in agricultural equipment leasing. By demonstrating the use of high-quality inputs, safe chemical applications, and efficient spraying and harvesting techniques, the project ensures that farmers can improve productivity while adopting sustainable methods.

Over the past three years, Project Sahyog has significantly transformed the agricultural landscape, benefiting over 20,000 farmers across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. By distributing 371 machines, the project has enhanced mechanization and efficiency in farming practices while simultaneously empowering 371 rural entrepreneurs, who have collectively generated over Rs1.6 crore in revenue, boosting the rural economy. Additionally, through targeted awareness sessions, farmers have gained crucial knowledge on sustainable farming techniques and responsible agrochemical use, fostering a more informed and resilient agricultural community.

“Earlier, we used to spray pesticides manually, which took days. Now, with the tractor-mounted boom sprayer from Project Sahyog, it’s a matter of hours or even minutes,” says Amrender Singh, a farmer from Haryana. “With increased efficiency, reduced labor dependency, and over Rs 1.5 lakh earned in one season, this technology has truly transformed farming for us.”

In the fiscal year 2024-2025, Project Sahyog launched a major initiative focused on distributing advanced boom sprayers to enhance agricultural efficiency further. The initiative introduced two types of sprayers: Tractor-Mounted Boom Sprayers (TMS) which is designed for large-scale farming operations, these sprayers ensure uniform and efficient crop protection, significantly improving farm productivity and Self-Propelled Boom Sprayers (SPBS), equipped with independent propulsion systems, these sprayers provide enhanced flexibility and precision, particularly for small farms and challenging terrains. The self-propelled boom sprayer can generate over Rs 2 lakh in revenue per machine in a single season. It can be used twice a year in multiple crops such as wheat, maize, sugarcane, groundnut etc.

Notably, the field insights have shown that using Self-Propelled and Tractor-Mounted Boom Sprayers results in a 5-10 per cent reduction in pesticide usage compared to manual spraying, making them a more efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative. The project extended its support to a wide range of beneficiaries, including individual farmers, farmer-producer companies (FPCs), and cooperative societies. By providing access to advanced equipment, the initiative fosters collaboration, market competitiveness, and sustainable farming practices.

Project Sahyog is making a lasting impact by achieving the following key outcomes- encouraging eco-friendly farming practices that benefit both farmers and the environment; training farmers in the safe and effective application of agrochemicals, minimizing health and environmental risks; supporting entrepreneurship and access to modern farm machinery, enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and increasing farmer profitability; contributing to food security, environmental sustainability, and rural economic growth.

Project Sahyog continues to work towards a future where farmers have access to the best tools and knowledge to enhance their livelihoods. By fostering innovation, education, and economic empowerment, the project is paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

Roots Foundation, in collaboration with Pi Foundation,