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 The initiative fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.

A six-day exposure visit to Sahyadri Farms, Maharashtra, concluded successfully, bringing together representatives of 19 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Cuttack and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha. The visit, facilitated under the Support to FPO scheme, Government of Odisha was organized to provide hands-on insights into sustainable farming practices and FPO management, began on January 20, 2025, and was marked by high-level engagements and in-depth discussions.

The agenda seamlessly combined field visits, interactive discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Participants from FPOs explored innovative practices like solar drying, algae production from wastewater, and advanced FMCG processing while witnessing Sahyadri Farms’ farmer-inclusive value chain initiatives. Supported by Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under the PSFPO project, Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, the visit fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the attendance of Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment & Energy. He was accompanied by Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, DA&FE, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS, Director of Agriculture and Food Production and Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture and Dr Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Director, Mission Shakti. The dignitaries and senior officials, actively participated in scheduled activities, aligning discussions with Odisha’s agricultural growth objectives.

Speaking about the visit, Vilas Shinde, CMD, Sahyadri Farms, said, “We are deeply grateful to the Government of Odisha and the PSFPO team for their proactive role in organizing this successful exposure visit. It was a pleasure to host such an enthusiastic group of FPO representatives and dignitaries from the state. We look forward to collaborating further with the Government of Odisha to replicate the Sahyadri model and empower farmers in the state with sustainable practices and value chain development strategies.”

Key action points discussed during the visit focused on replicating the Sahyadri Farms model in Odisha by leveraging government support through initiatives such as land allocation, subsidies, and initial investments. Emphasis was placed on selecting suitable horticulture crops, including pineapple, citrus, banana, mango, and guava, to promote sustainable farming and enhance market relevance. To build awareness and facilitate informed decision-making, it was proposed to organize a presentation by Sahyadri Farms for agri-ecosystem stakeholders in Odisha and arrange another exposure visit for policymakers. The formation of crop-specific farmer groups, including women farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), was highlighted as a critical step toward strengthening community involvement. Lastly, a strong focus was placed on ensuring the production and supply of high-quality produce to maintain competitiveness in the market.

Looking forward, the state will continue to conduct exposure visits and market-oriented training for 250 Farmers Producer Organizations across the state in the upcoming months under the Support to FPO scheme by Government of Odisha.

 The initiative fostered collaboration and innovation in

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, India, Start ups

This partnership aims to empower over 1,460 FPOs in Karnataka, ensuring their sustainability, scalability, and growth.

The Centre of Excellence for Farmer Producer Organizations (CoE-FPO), Bengaluru, signed a landmark MoU with Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Ltd. (SFPCL) and the Sahyadri Rural Development Foundation (SRDF) in Nashik.

This partnership aims to empower over 1,460 FPOs in Karnataka, ensuring their sustainability, scalability, and growth. As we step into 2025, this collaboration reflects CoEFPO’s unwavering commitment to supporting FPOs through training, capacity building, exposure visits, and value chain development.

Key focus areas of this landmark MoU are as follows:

  • Capacity Building & Training: Equipping FPO board members and CEOs with leadership and governance skills.
  • Knowledge Partnership: Sharing Sahyadri’s expertise in sustainable farming and value chain management.
  • Exposure Visits: Hands-on learning opportunities at Sahyadri Farms for farmers and officials.
  • Value Chain Development: Enhancing horticultural value chains for crops like grapes, pomegranate, mango, and banana.
  • Export Promotion: Improving quality and expanding market access for Karnataka’s horticultural products.
  • Institutional Development: Collaborating with Karnataka’s development departments for holistic growth.

 With Sahyadri’s expertise in post-harvest management, value addition, and an integrated value chain model, Karnataka’s FPOs are set to achieve higher returns, better governance, and enhanced market competitiveness. Established in 2017, CoEFPO is India’s first dedicated centre solely for FPO development and has been recognized as the FPO Knowledge Partner in Karnataka’s FPO Policy, 2018.

This partnership aims to empower over 1,460

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, Horticulture, India

The Company will utilise the funds to expand climate-resilient patented varieties of table grapes and citrus and augment its packhouse and processing capacities for fruits and vegetables.

Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Limited, India’s largest fully integrated and tech-enabled horticulture platform, has raised Rs 390 Crore from Europe-based PE fund responsibility, and US-based PE fund GEF Capital Partners, along with participation from all existing investors-FMO, Proparco, Incofin and Korys.

The Company will utilise the funds to expand climate-resilient patented varieties of table grapes and citrus and augment its packhouse and processing capacities for Fruits and Vegetables (FnV) and value-added products like aseptic, IQF, freeze-dried, juice concentrates and dry fruits.

Sahyadri Farms operates an end-to-end FnV supply chain from facilitating farmers/FPOs to grow international- quality produce to primary/secondary processing to marketing the products to marquee international and domestic customers.

Started in 2011 by a handful of grape farmers under the visionary leadership of Vilas Shinde, the Company has grown to become a multi-crop, multi-product and multi-channel distribution network providing digitally enabled fully integrated value chain to 25,000+ registered farmers and more than 200 institutional clients across 40+ countries.

The Company raised its first institutional round of Rs 310 Crore in September 22 from FMO, Proparco, Incofin and Korys. In last two years, the Company has nearly doubled its revenue to Rs 1,482Cr in FY24 with healthy profitability and with this additional funding, the business is projected to further grow at 40 per cent CAGR over the next five years.

The Company will utilise the funds to

Agri Genomics, Company News, Finance, Horticulture, India

ESOP plan 2023 includes the employees from junior to CXO level employees.

Nashik- based Sahyadri Farms, India’s largest integrated value chain owned by Small and marginal farmers has announced Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) 2023 worth Rs 45.00 crore to its employees out of the total ESOPs pool created for an amount of Rs.70 crore.

With a total pool of four percent of the total outstanding equity (before private equity round of Rs. 310 crores in August 2022) of the company worth Rs 70 crore, the ESOPs plan was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2023.  

Making the announcement Sahyadri Farms Chairman and Managing Director Vilas Shinde said, “Sahyadri Farms is the first of its kind organization to announce ESOPs in rural India. This scheme will include all our employees who have contributed to value creation for Sahyadri Farms growth. Inclusive growth and value creation for all stakeholders is a core philosophy of Sahyadri Farms since its inception. The organization is creating value for all its stakeholders, mainly the farmer shareholders along with consumers and employees”. Shinde added, Sahyadri Farms, which was started with the mission to ensure that the small-landholding farmers get fair compensation for their produce and labour, now has extended its welfare vision to its employees. 

The total number of employees covered under ESOPs is 461 while the vesting period is four years.  The board meeting was held in March 2023 to approve the proposed ESOP Plan.

ESOP plan 2023 includes the employees from junior to CXO level employees. The statement issued by Sahyadri Farms added it is the unique plan where everyone will be benefited irrespective of hierarchy.  While many other companies focus on key managerial persons and CXO level employees, Sahyadri Farms has included all its employees in the plan.   Sahyadri Farms hopes that ESOPs will strengthen the bond between the company and its employees. ESOPs will enable employees to own part of the company and lead to higher productivity and work satisfaction.

ESOP plan 2023 includes the employees from

Agribusiness, Finance, India, Start ups

Company records a remarkable 55 per cent growth in revenue from the previous year, with industry-leading EBITDA margins of 11.08 per cent.

Nashik based Sahyadri Farms, India’s largest fully integrated farmer-producer company, continues to make significant strides in transforming the horticulture sector and scaling its global presence. Despite global headwinds and challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainties, rising input costs, and climate change, Sahyadri Farms demonstrated robust growth during FY 2023-24. The company achieved a turnover of Rs 15,489 million, a remarkable 55 per cent increase from the previous year, with industry-leading EBITDA margins of 11.08 per cent. Leveraging its integrated value chain, Sahyadri Farms successfully procured and processed over 300,000 MT of crops from 26,000+ farmers, up by 25per cent. The company’s ongoing investment in R&D, operational efficiency, and sustainable practices ensured that it continued to navigate global challenges while contributing to India’s economic growth and food security.

Global Presence and Market Leadership

Sahyadri Farms has positioned itself as a leader in the global fresh produce market. With exports to over 40 countries, including major markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, Sahyadri Farms holds a dominant position as India’s largest exporter of table grapes.

Beyond grapes, Sahyadri has expanded its portfolio to include bananas, pomegranates, and other fruits, which are now gaining a foothold in lucrative global markets.

The company’s focus on quality, traceability, and sustainability has been key to its success. Sahyadri Farms has invested heavily in research and development (R&D), trialling new fruit varieties that are more climate-resilient and easier to cultivate, ensuring higher yields and reduced costs for farmers. The company’s global reputation for excellence is built on its ability to provide premium-grade produce, meeting the strictest quality standards set by international buyers.

Robust Infrastructure for Growth

Sahyadri Farms operates state-of-the-art processing facilities across two campuses, with a combined land area of 170 acres in Nashik and Nanded. Together, these facilities have a processing capacity of 3,500 MT of horticultural produce daily, supported by cutting-edge packhouses, cold storage units, and value-added product lines. These facilities not only extend the shelf life of fresh produce but also ensure minimal post-harvest losses, creating a more sustainable and profitable system for farmers.

To further consolidate its leadership in the global market, Sahyadri Farms has developed multiple Strategic Business Units (SBUs) focused on fresh exports, processed products, and domestic supply chain management. Each SBU operates with a clear objective – whether it is increasing the export share, or ensuring that domestic consumers receive fresh, quality produce year-round. These SBUs are key to Sahyadri Farms’ strategy of delivering end-to-end solutions for both farmers and consumers.

Investments and Expansion Plans

In recent years, Sahyadri Farms has attracted significant investments from marquee global investors, positioning the company for accelerated growth and expansion. These investments have allowed Sahyadri Farms to upgrade its infrastructure, enhance its digital platforms, and strengthen its global distribution network. This infusion of capital is preparing the company for its next phase of growth, as it seeks to deepen its presence in existing markets and enter new international arenas.

Speaking at the Company’s Annual General Meeting, Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahyadri Farms, said, “For over a decade, we have focused on empowering farmers while creating sustainable value across the supply chain. As we continue to innovate, scale, and expand our reach into global markets, we remain committed to ensuring that our growth benefits not only our farmers but also consumers and the environment.”

By creating a strong farmer-owned brand, Sahyadri Farms is establishing itself as a trusted name in fresh and processed produce, known for quality, sustainability, and innovation. This brand, driven by the collective strength of thousands of farmers, is poised to become a household name not just in India, but globally.

Poised for Global Leadership

As Sahyadri Farms looks to the future, it is well-positioned to lead the global fresh produce industry. With its focus on innovation, sustainability, and farmer empowerment, the company is setting new benchmarks in the agrifood sector. By leveraging its extensive farmer network, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and strong brand, Sahyadri Farms is on a path to becoming a dominant force in international trade.

The company’s continued investment in R&D, digital transformation, and brand-building will further enable it to meet the rising global demand for safe, high-quality, and traceable produce. As Sahyadri Farms continues to expand its footprint globally, it remains committed to delivering value at every stage of the supply chain.

Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability lies at the core of Sahyadri Farms’ operations. The company has implemented a range of eco-friendly initiatives, including solar energy generation, biogas production, and micro-algae-based water treatment systems.

In FY 2023-24 alone, Sahyadri Farms generated over 1,098 MWh of solar power and 374,200 kWh from biogas, reducing its carbon footprint significantly. These initiatives reflect Sahyadri Farm’s dedication to environmental stewardship, ensuring that its growth is aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

Additionally, Sahyadri Farms has embraced a circular economy approach by developing systems that repurpose agricultural by-products into high-value goods. Through its BioActives unit, Sahyadri Farms extracts valuable compounds from waste, such as seeds and peels, to create products for industries like cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and animal feed.

Company records a remarkable 55 per cent

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups

The plant with the capacity of processing 100 tonnes of cashew per day while processing cashew will also produce oil from cashew shells.

India’s leading grape exporter Nashik-based Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company has set up Maharashtra’s biggest cashew processing plant at its Mohadi campus in Nashik district in an effort to build a value chain of cashew which is a vital crop in Konkan and the tribal belt of the State.  

The plant with the capacity of processing 100 tonnes of cashew per day while processing cashew will also produce oil from cashew shells which will help to elevate the economic status of the farmers.

Vilas Shinde, President and Managing Director of Sahyadri said that despite being the leading cashew producer in the world, India is not even able to meet the domestic requirement. “There is immense opportunity in cashew farming and business as cashew has the potential to revolutionize the economy of Konkan and areas in the Sahyadri mountain range,” he said.       

Shinde added that along with increasing the average productivity of cashews, it is necessary to focus on setting up big projects for cashew pulp and cashew nut products.  “This will not only increase the income of the cashew farmers but also create job opportunities in the villages and curb migration to cities”  

Started in 2010 with a group of 10 farmers, Sahyadri Farms took the initiative in collectively producing and exporting fresh grapes to Europe. That initiative has grown into the leading fruits and vegetable export and processing company that Sahyadri Farms is today, servicing over 18,000 farmers, covering more than 31,000 acres and 9 crops. The company walks with its farmers from their choice of crops to the farming practices they employ, from the inputs they use to how they harvest and sell their agricultural products.

The plant with the capacity of processing

Agrotech, Finance, Horticulture, India, Interaction, Schemes - Govt, Schemes - NABARD

Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Limited

Founded in 2010, Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Limited, based in Nashik, has emerged as the largest exporter of grapes in India. Remarkably, Sahyadri accounts for nearly 17 per cent of all grapes exported from the country. In 2022, the company clocked a revenue of nearly Rs 800 crore. To further strengthen its operations, it recently raised Rs 310 crore in growth capital from a group of impact-focused investors including Incofin, Korys, FMO and Proparco. Besides, Sahyadri Farms, India’s largest integrated value chain owned by small and marginal farmers, announced the introduction of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) worth Rs 45 crore for its employees in 2023. This forms part of the total ESOPs pool amounting to Rs 70 crore. Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Limited expressed his insights on the horticulture value chain in India during an interview with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts;

How is Sahyadri Farms contributing to the horticulture value chain in India?

As the horticulture market in India is worth Rs 1 lakh crore, there is a significant opportunity for small and marginal farmers to increase their per-acre production and income. Sahyadri Farms has developed an ecosystem focused on the horticulture sector in Maharashtra.

At Sahyadri Farms, we have had a clear focus on horticulture crops, from the beginning. In the first phase, we concentrated on a single crop – grapes and gradually developed an ecosystem for grapes that includes all stakeholders from seed to last-mile delivery. Today, Sahyadri Farms has become a leading exporter and producer of grapes in the international market. After grapes, we shifted our attention to eight other horticulture crops, including tomatoes, pomegranates, mangoes, sweet lime, oranges, bananas, sweet corn and cashews. For each of these crops, we are developing an ecosystem using the cluster farming approach and connecting small-scale farmers through the Farmer Producer Company (FPC) model. Additionally, we are one of the largest producers and processors of tomatoes, contributing to almost 50 per cent of all Kissan tomato ketchup, a brand owned by Unilever.

What is the role of the FPC model in the horticulture value chain?

The FPC model is basically a collective process. The FPC model plays a crucial role, especially for small-holder horticulture growers who may struggle to manage various aspects of the horticulture value chain at a small scale, such as new farm practices for increasing yield, marketing, post-harvest supply chain infrastructure, and logistics.

The FPC model is ideal for the horticulture value chain as it provides support to farmers at every step, starting from providing high-quality inputs at reasonable rates to connecting farmers to market linkages.

By ensuring that farmers own all aspects of the horticulture value chain, the FPC model allows profits to be directly shared with farmers. This model is based on collective efforts by the farmers, ensuring fair prices for their produce in the export market.

What major changes have you observed in the horticulture supply chain since the COVID-19 pandemic?

The horticulture sector has witnessed significant changes in its supply chain, distribution networks, Direct to Consumer model (D2C) models, and new digital platforms aiming to connect all stakeholders of the horticulture industry under one roof.

Actually, the horticulture supply chain in India is currently in an experimental phase. Many startups are working on providing high-quality and residue-free produce through better cold storage and logistics options. These startups are leveraging digital technology and innovations to offer best-in- class services. Although many supply chain startups may not be generating substantial profits at present, the horticulture sector is expected to reap the benefits of digital technology and innovations in the next 5-10 years.

Another significant change is observed in market linkages. Previously, farmers would often receive lower prices for their produce in traditional mandis/ markets. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, many farmers started selling their produce directly to consumers through various platforms. The direct access to the consumers has made farmers more aware of consumer expectations, and market preferences, as well as demand for specific crops. Consequently, traditional farming methods, crop patterns, and adherence to standard food safety protocols have undergone changes, which was missing earlier, as farmers strive to meet consumer expectations.

To read more click on : https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of

Company News, Finance, India, Start ups

The total number of employees covered under ESOPs is 461 while the vesting period is four years.

Nashik based Sahyadri Farms, India’s largest integrated value chain owned by Small and marginal farmers has announced Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) 2023 worth Rs 45 crore to its employees out of the total ESOPs pool created for an amount of Rs 70 crore.

With a total pool of four per cent of the total outstanding equity (before private equity round of Rs 310 crores in August 2022) of the company worth Rs 70 crore, the ESOPs plan was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2023.

Making the announcement Sahyadri Farms Chairman and Managing Director Vilas Shinde said, “Sahyadri Farms is the first of its kind organization to announce ESOPs in rural India. This scheme will include all our employees who have contributed in value creation for Sahyadri Farms growth. Inclusive growth and value creation for all stakeholders is a core philosophy of Sahyadri Farms since its inception. The organization is creating value for all its stakeholders, mainly the farmer shareholders along with consumers and employees”. Shinde added, Sahyadri Farms, which was started with the mission to ensure that the small-landholding farmers get fair compensation for their produce and labour, now has extended its welfare vision to its employees.

The total number of employees covered under ESOPs is 461 while the vesting period is four years. The board meeting was held in March 2023 to approve the proposed ESOP Plan.

ESOP plan 2023 includes the employees from junior to CXO level employees. The statement issued by Sahyadri Farms added it is the unique plan where everyone will be benefited irrespective of hierarchy. While many other companies focus on key managerial persons and CXO level employees, Sahyadri Farms has included all its employees in the plan. Sahyadri Farms hopes that ESOPs will strengthen the bond between the company and its employees. ESOPs will enable employees to own part of the company and lead to higher productivity and work satisfaction.

The total number of employees covered under