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In Bangladesh they contribute more than 50% of the agricultural labor force (FAO, 2016), yet they are still faced with numerous challenges that male farmers don’t face (FAO, 2011). Among other things, “Rural women have a difficult time going out for farming advice and they are often shy to talk with men,” says Toufica Ahmed, a Better Life Farming (BLF) field activation officer.

In Bangladesh they contribute more than 50% of the agricultural labor force (FAO, 2016), yet they are still faced with numerous challenges that male farmers don’t face (FAO, 2011). Among other things, “Rural women have a difficult time going out for farming advice and they are often shy to talk with men,” says Toufica Ahmed, a Better Life Farming (BLF) field activation officer.

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Toufica & Bobita (1)

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Toufica Ahmed is an agri-graduate who joined Bayer’s smallholder farming team in 2021. As a field activation officer for BLF, she directly recruits and supports BLF Center owners. She also leads farmer trainings and meetings in BLF Centers and out in the field.  In this role she also supports Bobita Khatun, a former social worker turned BLF Center owner in Jashore, Bangladesh. Bobita first opened her center in 2020, as the first of now 14 women agri-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

Toufica Ahmed is an agri-graduate who joined Bayer’s smallholder farming team in 2021. As a field activation officer for BLF, she directly recruits and supports BLF Center owners. She also leads farmer trainings and meetings in BLF Centers and out in the field.  In this role she also supports Bobita Khatun, a former social worker turned BLF Center owner in Jashore, Bangladesh. Bobita first opened her center in 2020, as the first of now 14 women agri-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

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Momotaz & Bobita (1)

Toufica, Bobita and other women agri-entrepreneurs like her, make up two of the three tiers in the “three-tier BLF” system. BLF is designed to create a gender-smart, balanced ecosystem, by onboarding women agronomists and agri-entrepreneurs. Then, they can directly train women farmers and shape the training schedules to include female farmers in knowledge transfer and agriculture advice. Being respectful of the women’s schedules and non-farming duties, as well as accounting for traveling and other gender specific limitations are taken into consideration. Women trainers and advisors, in combination with other gender dedicated approaches, create new opportunities for women farmers, like Momotaz, to access BLF solutions more easily.

Toufica, Bobita and other women agri-entrepreneurs like her, make up two of the three tiers in the “three-tier BLF” system. BLF is designed to create a gender-smart, balanced ecosystem, by onboarding women agronomists and agri-entrepreneurs. Then, they can directly train women farmers and shape the training schedules to include female farmers in knowledge transfer and agriculture advice. Being respectful of the women’s schedules and non-farming duties, as well as accounting for traveling and other gender specific limitations are taken into consideration. Women trainers and advisors, in combination with other gender dedicated approaches, create new opportunities for women farmers, like Momotaz, to access BLF solutions more easily.

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Screen Shot 2022-09-21 at 9.18.51 AM

Although the exact number of women farmers involved in Better Life Farming is hard to determine, due to shared family farms with often male ownership, we estimated that generally BLF Centers in Bangladesh reach around 150 to 200 women farmers. In comparison Bobita’s BLF Center is currently reaching around 350 women farmers, some of whom have become inspired by Bobita’s story. Housewife and farmer Nazma started visiting Bobita’s center in 2021. She is now thinking about following Bobita’s example and opening a BLF Center on her own.

Although the exact number of women farmers involved in Better Life Farming is hard to determine, due to shared family farms with often male ownership, we estimated that generally BLF Centers in Bangladesh reach around 150 to 200 women farmers. In comparison Bobita’s BLF Center is currently reaching around 350 women farmers, some of whom have become inspired by Bobita’s story. Housewife and farmer Nazma started visiting Bobita’s center in 2021. She is now thinking about following Bobita’s example and opening a BLF Center on her own.

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I love to work in my role in BLF because I can serve the nation by helping SHF women of Bangladesh. Their success and appreciation by society motivate me to do my job.

Toufica Ahmed, Field Activation Officer for Better Life Farming

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BLF further offers training to all farmers, male and female, on the importance of women in farming, to help improve women’s standing and decision-making power in the community. Important discussions that only become more impactful when led by women agronomists and agri-economists like Toufica and Bobita. “I love to work in my role in BLF because I can serve the nation by helping SHF women of Bangladesh. Their success and appreciation by society motivate me to do my job”, says Toufica Ahmed. We are proud to have women like her, Bobita, Momotaz, Nazma and so many others be part of our BLF community to actively drive women empowerment in agriculture and rural communities.

BLF further offers training to all farmers, male and female, on the importance of women in farming, to help improve women’s standing and decision-making power in the community. Important discussions that only become more impactful when led by women agronomists and agri-economists like Toufica and Bobita. “I love to work in my role in BLF because I can serve the nation by helping SHF women of Bangladesh. Their success and appreciation by society motivate me to do my job”, says Toufica Ahmed. We are proud to have women like her, Bobita, Momotaz, Nazma and so many others be part of our BLF community to actively drive women empowerment in agriculture and rural communities.

Women farmers play a vital role in agriculture and farming.

Women Empowering Women

One year ago, Better Life Farming (BLF) <a href="https://www.bayer.com/media/en-us/the-better-life-farming-alliance-launches-in-latin-america/">arrived in Latin America</a> with the slogan “Cultivando Mejores Vidas” (Growing Better Lives). Better Life Farming joins together local partners like Bayer, AMSA, Netafim, and Yara Mexico to offer excellent agri-inputs and crop advisory in remote rural areas through strategically located <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/welcome-to-the-farm/">BLF Centers</a>.

One year ago, Better Life Farming (BLF) <a href="https://www.bayer.com/media/en-us/the-better-life-farming-alliance-launches-in-latin-america/">arrived in Latin America</a> with the slogan “Cultivando Mejores Vidas” (Growing Better Lives). Better Life Farming joins together local partners like Bayer, AMSA, Netafim, and Yara Mexico to offer excellent agri-inputs and crop advisory in remote rural areas through strategically located <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/welcome-to-the-farm/">BLF Centers</a>.

In these same centers, partners like Banco Azteca, International Finance Corporation and FIRA are helping to develop financial inclusion ecosystems in the local communities. The BLF Centers, which are run by local entrepreneurs, offer not only high-quality inputs and services, but also connect farmers to trainings, markets, technical support, advisory, and advanced agricultural solutions &#8211; everything free of charge.

In these same centers, partners like Banco Azteca, International Finance Corporation and FIRA are helping to develop financial inclusion ecosystems in the local communities. The BLF Centers, which are run by local entrepreneurs, offer not only high-quality inputs and services, but also connect farmers to trainings, markets, technical support, advisory, and advanced agricultural solutions - everything free of charge.

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BLF - Wendy Carranza

Within only one year, the number of operational BLF Centers in the region grew rapidly from 15 to 55 centers, with 38 in Mexico and 17 in Honduras. These centers are already changing lives by providing tailored and holistic solutions to smallholders and their communities. The new BLF geographies not only bring in new farmers to the BLF ecosystem and new crops but also more representation.

Within only one year, the number of operational BLF Centers in the region grew rapidly from 15 to 55 centers, with 38 in Mexico and 17 in Honduras. These centers are already changing lives by providing tailored and holistic solutions to smallholders and their communities. The new BLF geographies not only bring in new farmers to the BLF ecosystem and new crops but also more representation.

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BLF in Latin America

Empowering Women to Change Lives for the Better

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<h6 class="has-text-align-center">Empowering Women to Change Lives for the Better</h6>

So far, BLF has especially given greater opportunities to women, helping them run their own businesses and having a greater say in farming and business decisions in their local community. Today, 80% of Agri-Entrepreneurs in Mexico and Honduras are women.  Women shop managers not only empower agri-entrepreneurs and their families but also make BLF solutions much more readily accessible for women farmers.

So far, BLF has especially given greater opportunities to women, helping them run their own businesses and having a greater say in farming and business decisions in their local community. Today, 80% of Agri-Entrepreneurs in Mexico and Honduras are women.  Women shop managers not only empower agri-entrepreneurs and their families but also make BLF solutions much more readily accessible for women farmers.

One of the many lives that this project has changed is that of María Reyna Sorcia. She is the manager of the kiosk Cultivando Mejores Vidas (BLF) in the agricultural colony Santa María, in Córdoba, Veracruz. She is 45 years old, takes care of her home and supports her husband in the fields. During harvest time, they work ase coffee collectors.

One of the many lives that this project has changed is that of María Reyna Sorcia. She is the manager of the kiosk Cultivando Mejores Vidas (BLF) in the agricultural colony Santa María, in Córdoba, Veracruz. She is 45 years old, takes care of her home and supports her husband in the fields. During harvest time, they work ase coffee collectors.

In Santa Maria, when there is no harvest, the men of the community are left without work. Then, they’re forced to migrate to other places to secure an income and make ends meet. As a result, the fields are abandoned. Since women were not trained to work the fields, families were left in need of support. Now, her BLF Center has given María Reyna the possibility to support her family as an administrator and more importantly, she has helped promote information and train women on good agricultural practices, empowering them to get ahead and encourage them to take on the tasks in the field by themselves.

In Santa Maria, when there is no harvest, the men of the community are left without work. Then, they’re forced to migrate to other places to secure an income and make ends meet. As a result, the fields are abandoned. Since women were not trained to work the fields, families were left in need of support. Now, her BLF Center has given María Reyna the possibility to support her family as an administrator and more importantly, she has helped promote information and train women on good agricultural practices, empowering them to get ahead and encourage them to take on the tasks in the field by themselves.

Maria’s actions as a BLF agri-entrepreneur are giving rise to much deeper transformations of communities, customs, and the possibilities of a better life. And Maria is only the beginning of Better Life Farming in Latin America.

Maria’s actions as a BLF agri-entrepreneur are giving rise to much deeper transformations of communities, customs, and the possibilities of a better life. And Maria is only the beginning of Better Life Farming in Latin America.

Celebrating One Year of Better Life Farming in Latin America

In India, 85% of rural women are engaged in agriculture, yet only about 13% own land. However, with rapid advancement in agriculture, technology and innovation, India is waking up to an era of agriculture 4.0, in which precision farming and the use of big data will enhance efficiency and sustainable practices in agriculture. This revolution is also fueling the massive transformation of gender roles and paving the way for women to be a part of this transformation by delivering gender-smart solutions that are flexible and inclusive.
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In India, 85% of rural women are engaged in agriculture, yet only about 13% own land. However, with rapid advancement in agriculture, technology and innovation, India is waking up to an era of agriculture 4.0, in which precision farming and the use of big data will enhance efficiency and sustainable practices in agriculture. This revolution is also fueling the massive transformation of gender roles and paving the way for women to be a part of this transformation by delivering gender-smart solutions that are flexible and inclusive.

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According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, women make up on average 43% of the agricultural workforce in developing countries. Female participation in value chains is critical, yet they still face gender-specific constraints and challenges in owning, accessing, and controlling resources that affect their productivity, livelihood, and income.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, women make up on average 43% of the agricultural workforce in developing countries. Female participation in value chains is critical, yet they still face gender-specific constraints and challenges in owning, accessing, and controlling resources that affect their productivity, livelihood, and income.

To develop a stronger voice for rural women in agriculture and level the playing field, the Better Life Farming Alliance adopts a gender-smart approach, which involves onboarding women agri-entrepreneurs to extend necessary support to thousands of underserved women smallholder farmers. In 2022, over 1000 new Better Life Farming centers were set up across India, with over 100 women agri-entrepreneurs. Phoolbasan Yadav, <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/farmer-kalyani-singh/">Kalyani Singh</a>, <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/farmer-ranju-singh/">Ranju Singh</a>, Rubi Devi, Demanti Devi, Arzina Khatun and many more such women have become our everyday heroes who support and uplift each other to make women more visible and empowered in agriculture and farming. Similarly, the stories of Suchita Bhosale and Sagarika Mishra highlight their farming journey into becoming thriving Agri- women.

To develop a stronger voice for rural women in agriculture and level the playing field, the Better Life Farming Alliance adopts a gender-smart approach, which involves onboarding women agri-entrepreneurs to extend necessary support to thousands of underserved women smallholder farmers. In 2022, over 1000 new Better Life Farming centers were set up across India, with over 100 women agri-entrepreneurs. Phoolbasan Yadav, <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/farmer-kalyani-singh/">Kalyani Singh</a>, <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/farmer-ranju-singh/">Ranju Singh</a>, Rubi Devi, Demanti Devi, Arzina Khatun and many more such women have become our everyday heroes who support and uplift each other to make women more visible and empowered in agriculture and farming. Similarly, the stories of Suchita Bhosale and Sagarika Mishra highlight their farming journey into becoming thriving Agri- women.

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Sagarika-Ghosh-2

Meet Sagarika Mishra, one of these agri-entrepreneurs managing a BLF center in India. At 28 years old, Sagarika is a wife and mother. Sagarika is a graduate in Fishery Science and became an agri-entrepreneur during COVID-19 when she had to return to her village to provide for her family. Along with the BLF Center, she also has her own model farm, where she spends a lot of her time and energy helping her community by promoting better farming inputs and practices.

Meet Sagarika Mishra, one of these agri-entrepreneurs managing a BLF center in India. At 28 years old, Sagarika is a wife and mother. Sagarika is a graduate in Fishery Science and became an agri-entrepreneur during COVID-19 when she had to return to her village to provide for her family. Along with the BLF Center, she also has her own model farm, where she spends a lot of her time and energy helping her community by promoting better farming inputs and practices.

Similarly, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, many women started out as smallholder farmers with only a few hectares of land, learning from their own experience and having the passion to help themselves and other farmers become more progressive and profitable. Suchita Bhosale, a 26-year-old, became an agri-entrepreneur and is empowering over 5,000 farmers in the region of which 30% are women smallholders. She also supplies seeds for a variety of crops including soya, wheat, Bengal gram, and vegetables. Suchita, is also involved in several social welfare organizations and has also won the “Manage India Award&#8221; for being a successful agri-entrepreneur.

Similarly, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, many women started out as smallholder farmers with only a few hectares of land, learning from their own experience and having the passion to help themselves and other farmers become more progressive and profitable. Suchita Bhosale, a 26-year-old, became an agri-entrepreneur and is empowering over 5,000 farmers in the region of which 30% are women smallholders. She also supplies seeds for a variety of crops including soya, wheat, Bengal gram, and vegetables. Suchita, is also involved in several social welfare organizations and has also won the “Manage India Award" for being a successful agri-entrepreneur.

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Suchita Bhosale_1 (1)

Suchita shares, “I want to provide smallholders in my community and in nearby villages with a port of call where they can find everything they need, to improve their productivity. Be it crop advisory and protection products or modern agricultural technologies. My great wish is that my center will also inspire the youth in my village for smallholder farming.”

Suchita shares, “I want to provide smallholders in my community and in nearby villages with a port of call where they can find everything they need, to improve their productivity. Be it crop advisory and protection products or modern agricultural technologies. My great wish is that my center will also inspire the youth in my village for smallholder farming.”

A Stronger Voice for Female Farmers in India

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A women in a blue saree stands next to a pink Better Life Farming banner. Next to the banner stands a man in a pink shirt.

The Better Life Farming (BLF) Alliance brings public and private partners together to combine their expertise to improve the livelihoods of rural smallholders and their communities. Over 30 global, regional and local partners combine their expertise in finance, irrigation, insurance and more to ensure a holistic end-to-end value-chain delivery. At the nucleus of the BLF Alliance lies the BLF Center and the BLF Model Farm.

The Better Life Farming (BLF) Alliance brings public and private partners together to combine their expertise to improve the livelihoods of rural smallholders and their communities. Over 30 global, regional and local partners combine their expertise in finance, irrigation, insurance and more to ensure a holistic end-to-end value-chain delivery. At the nucleus of the BLF Alliance lies the BLF Center and the BLF Model Farm.

BLF Centers: Providing Access
BLF Centers in rural villages ensure easy access to farming solutions from the partner network to rural farmers through a “last mile delivery model”. The centers provide agronomic education, customized agronomic solutions, financing (including financial literacy training), market access and fair prices as well as partnerships to local farmers. They are owned and run by agri-entrepreneurs, farmers, or agri-graduates who provide the entire community access to inputs, crop advice, Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.) trainings and access to model farms. This makes the BLF Center the central hub for smallholders to access the products and services provided by the partner network. Each BLF Center services around 500 farmers over five to ten villages.

BLF Centers: Providing Access

BLF Centers in rural villages ensure easy access to farming solutions from the partner network to rural farmers through a “last mile delivery model”. The centers provide agronomic education, customized agronomic solutions, financing (including financial literacy training), market access and fair prices as well as partnerships to local farmers. They are owned and run by agri-entrepreneurs, farmers, or agri-graduates who provide the entire community access to inputs, crop advice, Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.) trainings and access to model farms. This makes the BLF Center the central hub for smallholders to access the products and services provided by the partner network. Each BLF Center services around 500 farmers over five to ten villages.

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Model Farm: Modeling the BLF Impact
Complementary to the BLF Center is the BLF Model Farm. Almost every BLF Center has a nearby model farm that is either owned by the BLF Center owner or by a progressive smallholder from the respective rural community.  On the model farm, farmers can learn how to implement G.A.P. on their own fields and how to apply agri-inputs correctly and safely. The trainings are conducted by BLF Agri-consultants, village based experienced agronomist who hold farmer trainings on the model farm. Aside from the trainings, the agri-consultants are regularly on site to provide advice to the model farmer and other smallholders in the community.
The agri-consultants and model farm are not only a training ground but also a show-and-tell for farmers to see for themselves how the expert trainings and advice in combination with the high-quality product and technology can impact the crops and yields. This hands-on proof of the concept aims to inspire traditional farmers to have an open mind towards new technologies and practices.

Model Farm: Modeling the BLF Impact

Complementary to the BLF Center is the BLF Model Farm. Almost every BLF Center has a nearby model farm that is either owned by the BLF Center owner or by a progressive smallholder from the respective rural community.  On the model farm, farmers can learn how to implement G.A.P. on their own fields and how to apply agri-inputs correctly and safely. The trainings are conducted by BLF Agri-consultants, village based experienced agronomist who hold farmer trainings on the model farm. Aside from the trainings, the agri-consultants are regularly on site to provide advice to the model farmer and other smallholders in the community.

The agri-consultants and model farm are not only a training ground but also a show-and-tell for farmers to see for themselves how the expert trainings and advice in combination with the high-quality product and technology can impact the crops and yields. This hands-on proof of the concept aims to inspire traditional farmers to have an open mind towards new technologies and practices.

Community Ties
As the BLF Centers and model farms are village base and in close communication with the community around them, they allow the BLF Alliance and its many partners to tailor their solutions to individual circumstances. Through an increasing number of women agri-entrepreneurs and women agri-consultants the BLF Centers and model farms also help <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/smallholder-women-empowering-smallholder-women/">improve women’s standing and decision-making power in the community</a>.
Our partners are vital in providing access to all the necessary inputs and services smallholder need to thrive. However, without the BLF Centers and model farms and the people running them, the partner solutions would not be so easily and transparently accessible. A true alliance and partnership takes collaboration, everyone has a part to play as we aim to empower smallholders around the world.
Check out <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/welcome-to-the-farm/">our 3D model here</a> to see a BLF Center and BLF model farm in action.

Community Ties

As the BLF Centers and model farms are village base and in close communication with the community around them, they allow the BLF Alliance and its many partners to tailor their solutions to individual circumstances. Through an increasing number of women agri-entrepreneurs and women agri-consultants the BLF Centers and model farms also help <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/smallholder-women-empowering-smallholder-women/">improve women’s standing and decision-making power in the community</a>.

Our partners are vital in providing access to all the necessary inputs and services smallholder need to thrive. However, without the BLF Centers and model farms and the people running them, the partner solutions would not be so easily and transparently accessible. A true alliance and partnership takes collaboration, everyone has a part to play as we aim to empower smallholders around the world.

Check out <a href="https://www.betterlifefarming.com/our-stories/welcome-to-the-farm/">our 3D model here</a> to see a BLF Center and BLF model farm in action.

Farmers in Indonesia receive training at a green and lush model farm.

An Ecosystem that Enables Smallholders

Through a last-mile delivery model, BLF improves limited access to essential agricultural services in rural areas. BLF centers are owned and run by agri-entrepreneurs (AEs) who are often farmers or agri-graduates from the rural communities. Out of many, the following two examples showcase how our interventions can make a difference.

Through a last-mile delivery model, BLF improves limited access to essential agricultural services in rural areas. BLF centers are owned and run by agri-entrepreneurs (AEs) who are often farmers or agri-graduates from the rural communities. Out of many, the following two examples showcase how our interventions can make a difference.

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BLF manager Sourabh Kumar strongly believes that change can be made by the youth in farming, which translated into reality during a meeting with Balram Mahto, a young man from Ranchi who had just completed his post-graduation in Agriculture. When visiting existing BLF centers, Balram was very impressed by how we provide true hand-holding support to AEs, and decided to open his own center in 2020: “I always wanted to work for uplifting the standard of living of smallholder farmers of my village and train them with the knowledge that I have acquired.” Since, he has inspired many young graduates in his district, more than 10 of whom have started their own BLF entrepreneurships. Balram has the vision to expand his business to the BLF hub level, serving several centers, through which he could offer employment to others.

BLF manager Sourabh Kumar strongly believes that change can be made by the youth in farming, which translated into reality during a meeting with Balram Mahto, a young man from Ranchi who had just completed his post-graduation in Agriculture. When visiting existing BLF centers, Balram was very impressed by how we provide true hand-holding support to AEs, and decided to open his own center in 2020: “I always wanted to work for uplifting the standard of living of smallholder farmers of my village and train them with the knowledge that I have acquired.” Since, he has inspired many young graduates in his district, more than 10 of whom have started their own BLF entrepreneurships. Balram has the vision to expand his business to the BLF hub level, serving several centers, through which he could offer employment to others.

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Model-farm2

By means of gender-smart training interventions, we provide the necessary support to underserved women smallholder farmers. When Sourabh hosted a farmer camp at a remote village in a new province, he met Devanti Devi, and the BLF value proposition convinced her to allow for demonstration of good farming practices at her plot. Seeing is believing – by stalking in her tomato crops, her yield increased by one-third. This first trust point made Devanti get onboard as a BLF center owner in 2019: “BLF emerged as a bright spot in my seemingly gloomy life, which has helped me to achieve everything I had never even dreamt of! The best thing is the constant support that BLF has provided throughout my journey of becoming an agri-entrepreneur; the IFC training for building business acumen and gender-specific trainings have helped me a lot.” She especially appreciates being supported by like-minded female agri-consultants. She has encouraged other women since and even envisions her daughter Priyanka to graduate in Agricultural Science and later run her BLF center.

By means of gender-smart training interventions, we provide the necessary support to underserved women smallholder farmers. When Sourabh hosted a farmer camp at a remote village in a new province, he met Devanti Devi, and the BLF value proposition convinced her to allow for demonstration of good farming practices at her plot. Seeing is believing – by stalking in her tomato crops, her yield increased by one-third. This first trust point made Devanti get onboard as a BLF center owner in 2019: “BLF emerged as a bright spot in my seemingly gloomy life, which has helped me to achieve everything I had never even dreamt of! The best thing is the constant support that BLF has provided throughout my journey of becoming an agri-entrepreneur; the IFC training for building business acumen and gender-specific trainings have helped me a lot.” She especially appreciates being supported by like-minded female agri-consultants. She has encouraged other women since and even envisions her daughter Priyanka to graduate in Agricultural Science and later run her BLF center.

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Women-Farmer-Training1

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It is thanks to dedicated BLF managers and agronomists on the ground, like Sourabh, that BLF has successfully grown to over 2,000 centers in India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, reaching more than 800 thousand farmers. Our journey is still to continue – first pilots in Mexico and Honduras showcase our ambition to scale into other smallholder geographies. Our commitment will help increase local food production, improve smallholder livelihoods and contribute to ending food scarcity.

It is thanks to dedicated BLF managers and agronomists on the ground, like Sourabh, that BLF has successfully grown to over 2,000 centers in India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, reaching more than 800 thousand farmers. Our journey is still to continue – first pilots in Mexico and Honduras showcase our ambition to scale into other smallholder geographies. Our commitment will help increase local food production, improve smallholder livelihoods and contribute to ending food scarcity.

Embark On A Life-Changing Journey With Better Life Farming in India

More than 40 global and local partners bring their products, services, and expertise directly to smallholders via over 2,000 BLF Centers and passionate agri-entrepreneurs. It is almost hard to imagine that all of this started with only twenty farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2018. Rajesh Kumar Singh, better known as “Pappu,” was one of these first twenty farmers.

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At the age of 50, the chili farmer opened his BLF Center on October 9, 2018. Like many smallholders, he started learning about farming on his father’s farm and fell in love with the trade. He says, “When I see my green chili plants grow, the ones I sowed with my own hands, I feel a sense of pride. I have given them life, take care of them and in return, they offer my family food, income, and a better livelihood”. Having been a farmer for over two decades at the time of the BLF pilot program, Pappu quickly saw the potential BLF could offer him, his family, and his community.

“When I see my green chili plants grow, the ones I sowed with my own hands, I feel a sense of pride. I have given them life, take care of them and in return, they offer my family food, income, and a better livelihood”.

Applying the knowledge and technology made available to him through his own BLF Center, he was able to double his yield and triple his income from his near 2-hectar farm. For Pappu this income means freedom – “freedom to take it easier, enjoy the coming years with my wife and support my daughters in their future aspirations”. After four years in BLF, the fruits of Pappu’s success are evident – not only in his daughters’ education and dreams but also in the new family home.

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During a BLF workshop early this year, Pappu hosted the global and local BLF partner representatives in his new BLF Center. His center, a nice colorful structure branded in the bright BLF colors and stocked with agri-solutions from fertilizer over crop protection to irrigation tubing, still offers ample place for trainings and farmer meetings. The BLF Center takes up part of the ground level of his new two-story family home. A home, with two bathrooms, running water and solar panels on the roof, as Pappu proudly tells while giving a tour of his new home. After the tour he pointed next door to a small one room building – his old home.

During a BLF workshop early this year, Pappu hosted the global and local BLF partner representatives in his new BLF Center. His center, a nice colorful structure branded in the bright BLF colors and stocked with agri-solutions from fertilizer over crop protection to irrigation tubing, still offers ample place for trainings and farmer meetings. The BLF Center takes up part of the ground level of his new two-story family home. A home, with two bathrooms, running water and solar panels on the roof, as Pappu proudly tells while giving a tour of his new home. After the tour he pointed next door to a small one room building – his old home.

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All these achievements strongly motivate Pappu to keep going. “I now have the opportunity to give something back through my own Better Life Farming Center.” Currently, Pappu reaches around 350 smallholder farmers in his community. He hopes that he can allow them, especially the young next generation of farmers, to have the same successes that he has had through BLF.  “My great wish is that my center will also inspire the youth in my village for smallholder farming. I would like to join them on their journey into a brighter future by helping them to start an own successful farming business.”

All these achievements strongly motivate Pappu to keep going. “I now have the opportunity to give something back through my own Better Life Farming Center.” Currently, Pappu reaches around 350 smallholder farmers in his community. He hopes that he can allow them, especially the young next generation of farmers, to have the same successes that he has had through BLF.  “My great wish is that my center will also inspire the youth in my village for smallholder farming. I would like to join them on their journey into a brighter future by helping them to start an own successful farming business.”

Here it is to Pappu and agri-entrepreneurs like him. It is their commitment that has allowed Better Life Farming to grow from 20 to over 700,000 farmers in only four years, and it is only through them that BLF will continue to grow and to change more smallholders’ lives in the next years.

Here it is to Pappu and agri-entrepreneurs like him. It is their commitment that has allowed Better Life Farming to grow from 20 to over 700,000 farmers in only four years, and it is only through them that BLF will continue to grow and to change more smallholders’ lives in the next years.

Pappu sits with his daughter and looks at her computer.

Pappu (Rajesh Kumar) Singh: Fruits of Success

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Click the hotspots on the model below to learn about BLF Centers and model farms. The gate is always open.

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Welcome to the Farm

Three smiling women from Bangladesh in front of BLF Center.

Farming is in his genes 
Sandeep Kumar Sahu admits that he had always felt a “tinge of inclination towards his family business in farming”. Farming was in his genes, he says. There was another key reason for turning his back on a career in engineering— the opportunity to become a rural entrepreneur by running a Better Life Farming (BLF) Center in his home village of Sukumar in the Lohardaga district of Jharkhand. Sandeep’s in-depth understanding of the market dynamics of India’s agricultural ecosystem and the local agricultural landscape led him to see the BLF Center as an opportunity to help local farmers.

Farming is in his genes
Sandeep Kumar Sahu admits that he had always felt a “tinge of inclination towards his family business in farming”. Farming was in his genes, he says. There was another key reason for turning his back on a career in engineering— the opportunity to become a rural entrepreneur by running a Better Life Farming (BLF) Center in his home village of Sukumar in the Lohardaga district of Jharkhand. Sandeep’s in-depth understanding of the market dynamics of India’s agricultural ecosystem and the local agricultural landscape led him to see the BLF Center as an opportunity to help local farmers.

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Work satisfaction 
While most engineers would be happy with a job in the private sector, Sandeep wasn’t. “The work satisfaction I got was not at the level of my expectations. I always had the desire to work around my people and seeing my people happy through my guidance gives me immense satisfaction,” he says. Coming from a farming family, Sandeep knew what local smallholders were lacking. He says, “you need to plan and prioritize your work in order to get the best results. My family and the farmers in our area were lacking these organizational skills.”

Work satisfaction
While most engineers would be happy with a job in the private sector, Sandeep wasn’t. “The work satisfaction I got was not at the level of my expectations. I always had the desire to work around my people and seeing my people happy through my guidance gives me immense satisfaction,” he says. Coming from a farming family, Sandeep knew what local smallholders were lacking. He says, “you need to plan and prioritize your work in order to get the best results. My family and the farmers in our area were lacking these organizational skills.”

Seeing my people happy through my guidance gives me immense satisfaction.

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Economic opportunities 
Sandeep sees a genuine need to open up new economic opportunities for these smallholder farmers. He says they are, “prone to be exploited” due to a lack of market information and access in rural areas. He know first-hand that these smallholder farmers could benefit from adapting modern technology, but they lack access to the proper knowledge to do that. Here is where Sandeep&#8217;s unique skills and experience makes him beneficial to farmers. By apply his engineering know-how and market knowledge, Sandeep is able to help fellow farmers understand how to better market their produce to achieve a better return on investment.
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Economic opportunities
Sandeep sees a genuine need to open up new economic opportunities for these smallholder farmers. He says they are, “prone to be exploited” due to a lack of market information and access in rural areas. He know first-hand that these smallholder farmers could benefit from adapting modern technology, but they lack access to the proper knowledge to do that. Here is where Sandeep's unique skills and experience makes him beneficial to farmers. By apply his engineering know-how and market knowledge, Sandeep is able to help fellow farmers understand how to better market their produce to achieve a better return on investment.

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Sandeep Kumar provides much needed services and goods to fellow farmers


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Farming challenges 
Climate change is a major threat to farming businesses in this east Indian region. “The monsoon is inevitable, but drastic changes in rain patterns in recent years have led to heavy losses in our fields,” he says. In the past monsoon season crop damage has been around 60% on his farm, he points out. The monsoon is inevitable, but if the land is cultivated more productively with higher yields, there will be more quality harvest left to sell after the rains have gone.
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Farming challenges
Climate change is a major threat to farming businesses in this east Indian region. “The monsoon is inevitable, but drastic changes in rain patterns in recent years have led to heavy losses in our fields,” he says. In the past monsoon season crop damage has been around 60% on his farm, he points out. The monsoon is inevitable, but if the land is cultivated more productively with higher yields, there will be more quality harvest left to sell after the rains have gone.

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Sandeep sees another challenge in the agricultural inputs local smallholders have traditionally used to cultivate their crops. One of the messages he shares at BLF Center is that well-timed and carefully managed applications of state-of-the-art plant protection products will enable local farmers to grow high-yielding crops.
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Sandeep sees another challenge in the agricultural inputs local smallholders have traditionally used to cultivate their crops. One of the messages he shares at BLF Center is that well-timed and carefully managed applications of state-of-the-art plant protection products will enable local farmers to grow high-yielding crops.

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Access and Education
Sandeep’s engineering degree and job experience in the industry enables him to think outside the box back in Sukumar. By providing economic opportunity, market access and education to technology, like crop protection products, Sandeep is enabling the farmers in his regions. Sandeep&#8217;s work as a Better Life Farming agri-entrepreneur benefits his entire community— the best work satisfaction Sandeep could hope for.
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Access and Education

Sandeep’s engineering degree and job experience in the industry enables him to think outside the box back in Sukumar. By providing economic opportunity, market access and education to technology, like crop protection products, Sandeep is enabling the farmers in his regions. Sandeep's work as a Better Life Farming agri-entrepreneur benefits his entire community— the best work satisfaction Sandeep could hope for.

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From engineer to agri-entrepreneur - Sandeep Kumar Sahu is running his own BLF center

Sandeep Kumar Sahu: Farming is in His Genes

It been over four years now since we as individual companies found ourselves in a room preparing to embark on a journey. We came together as partners, as an alliance to launch Better Life Farming – and what a journey it has been so far. 
Since then, we as Better Life Farming were able to grow exponentially and make an impact in smallholder communities around the world. When thinking about our biggest successes Lino Dias, Smallholder Farming Vice President at Bayer, sees the first launch we had in Uttar Pradesh, India, right at the forefront. “We were able to double the productivity of green chili smallholders and triple their income. This has far-reaching impacts that go beyond the individual smallholder&#8221;, he says.

It been over four years now since we as individual companies found ourselves in a room preparing to embark on a journey. We came together as partners, as an alliance to launch Better Life Farming – and what a journey it has been so far. 

Since then, we as Better Life Farming were able to grow exponentially and make an impact in smallholder communities around the world. When thinking about our biggest successes Lino Dias, Smallholder Farming Vice President at Bayer, sees the first launch we had in Uttar Pradesh, India, right at the forefront. “We were able to double the productivity of green chili smallholders and triple their income. This has far-reaching impacts that go beyond the individual smallholder", he says.

The challenges of smallholders are multifold and call for multiple competencies to address them. For example, the dramatic consequences of climate change and the associated water shortage hinder smallholders from unlocking their full agronomic potential. At the same time, pests and crop diseases can have a major impact on both the quality and quantity of the yield at the end of a season — ultimately, compromising food security. 
 However, as an alliance, we can provide an ecosystem of solutions. While Bayer is able to contribute with cutting-edge technology on seeds and crop protection, we at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgKHu9UDuoU">Netafim</a> are the experts when it comes to precision irrigation for higher yields, improved land use, and sustainable use of scarce water resources to help grow much more with less. 
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The challenges of smallholders are multifold and call for multiple competencies to address them. For example, the dramatic consequences of climate change and the associated water shortage hinder smallholders from unlocking their full agronomic potential. At the same time, pests and crop diseases can have a major impact on both the quality and quantity of the yield at the end of a season — ultimately, compromising food security. 

 However, as an alliance, we can provide an ecosystem of solutions. While Bayer is able to contribute with cutting-edge technology on seeds and crop protection, we at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgKHu9UDuoU">Netafim</a> are the experts when it comes to precision irrigation for higher yields, improved land use, and sustainable use of scarce water resources to help grow much more with less. 

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Dubi

I truly believe that drip irrigation can change the lives of smallholders because at the end of the day, it helps them to grow more with less.

President of EMEA Division at Netafim

Even if the weather is not controllable, the issue of water shortage can be tackled with the right irrigation system. Our drip irrigation technology provides the solution in form of a highly efficient water, nutrient and crop protection delivery system for growing different crops with less water. It delivers water, nutrients and crop protection directly to the crop’s roots, in the right amounts, at the right time, so each plant gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it, to grow optimally. This is done by driplines that extend across the entire field. 
Thanks to drip irrigation, smallholders can produce higher yields while saving water as well as fertilizers, energy and even crop protection products. It’s a driving technology when it comes to growing crops that have a very high demand for water, such as rice. 
In Asia alone, more than 90% of the world’s rice supply is predominantly produced by smallholders. This requires a lot of water. At the same time, a growing world population depends on rice as a staple food. So helping rice smallholders to grow more with less to increase both their productivity and profitability is vital.

Even if the weather is not controllable, the issue of water shortage can be tackled with the right irrigation system. Our drip irrigation technology provides the solution in form of a highly efficient water, nutrient and crop protection delivery system for growing different crops with less water. It delivers water, nutrients and crop protection directly to the crop’s roots, in the right amounts, at the right time, so each plant gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it, to grow optimally. This is done by driplines that extend across the entire field. 

Thanks to drip irrigation, smallholders can produce higher yields while saving water as well as fertilizers, energy and even crop protection products. It’s a driving technology when it comes to growing crops that have a very high demand for water, such as rice. 

In Asia alone, more than 90% of the world’s rice supply is predominantly produced by smallholders. This requires a lot of water. At the same time, a growing world population depends on rice as a staple food. So helping rice smallholders to grow more with less to increase both their productivity and profitability is vital.

By pioneering drip irrigation for rice, we set off on a new terrain of farming practice to do so. As my colleague Dubi Raz, Global Agronomy Director at Netafim, frequently points out to me, “farmers have successfully grown their rice through flood irrigation for more than 5,000 years. When I tell smallholders that drip irrigation helps them to grow even more with just drops of water, I am understandably confronted with skepticism and disbelief. It’s a paradigm shift for them.&#8221;

By pioneering drip irrigation for rice, we set off on a new terrain of farming practice to do so. As my colleague Dubi Raz, Global Agronomy Director at Netafim, frequently points out to me, “farmers have successfully grown their rice through flood irrigation for more than 5,000 years. When I tell smallholders that drip irrigation helps them to grow even more with just drops of water, I am understandably confronted with skepticism and disbelief. It’s a paradigm shift for them."

You can have the most innovative technology, but if you don’t know how to transfer it, it just doesn’t work.

Global Agronomy Director at Netafim

That’s when I realized that social work is so much more important than the technology itself. You can have the most innovative technology, but if you don’t know how to transfer it, it just doesn’t work.” That’s why for Dubi Raz and his team, the majority of their work is all about being in the field together with smallholders, meeting at eye-level, working hand-in-hand and understanding farming from their point of view to become a trusted partner standing by their side.
“I remember when a smallholder farmer I have known for 20 years first saw the difference between a drip irrigated field and one that was irrigated through traditional practices,” Dubi Raz reminisces fondly. “For me it was obvious, but he was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. Together, we then implemented drip irrigation in his field and today he’s a very satisfied and prosperous farmer. That’s what I really enjoy about my job. Seeing how we can really make a difference in people’s lives.”

That’s when I realized that social work is so much more important than the technology itself. You can have the most innovative technology, but if you don’t know how to transfer it, it just doesn’t work.” That’s why for Dubi Raz and his team, the majority of their work is all about being in the field together with smallholders, meeting at eye-level, working hand-in-hand and understanding farming from their point of view to become a trusted partner standing by their side.

“I remember when a smallholder farmer I have known for 20 years first saw the difference between a drip irrigated field and one that was irrigated through traditional practices,” Dubi Raz reminisces fondly. “For me it was obvious, but he was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. Together, we then implemented drip irrigation in his field and today he’s a very satisfied and prosperous farmer. That’s what I really enjoy about my job. Seeing how we can really make a difference in people’s lives.”

Dubi and team introduced mechanization in cotton to farmers in Akola Maharashtra discussing thresholds in Sensors , height control and proper fertigation.

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Photo_04

Through innovations like our drip irrigation, we already have some great success stories in Asian countries. When we think about the future, our ambition is to also enable this success in Africa. As Pam Strifler, Vice President Global Stakeholder Strategy and Affairs at Bayer, puts it, “if we work to help them grow their own livelihoods, they in turn grow their community, and we end up feeding a growing population as well.”

Through innovations like our drip irrigation, we already have some great success stories in Asian countries. When we think about the future, our ambition is to also enable this success in Africa. As Pam Strifler, Vice President Global Stakeholder Strategy and Affairs at Bayer, puts it, “if we work to help them grow their own livelihoods, they in turn grow their community, and we end up feeding a growing population as well.”

Netafim provides diverse precision irrigation and fertigation solutions as well as digital farming solutions accompanied by expert agronomic, technical and operational support.

Growing more with less through a paradigm shift 

It’s rice season. The sun torches everything without shade and the humid air remains sticky despite the clear sky.
It’s the typical day for a smallholder farmer who’s ventured out to inspect her fields. Yesterday, however, was not. An early-season flash flood has come and gone, threatening the burgeoning green rice shoots that surround her with uneven pools of water. The potential for fungal infections is on her mind and she’s concerned about the impact it could have on her yields.
Despite the oppressive heat and the challenge at hand, this smallholder must keep a clear head. She remembers a similar flash flood from last year, after which she purchased and applied fungicide to protect her rice fields. But which fungicide was it? How much did she order and how much did it cost? She reaches for her notepad – the ledger of her fields – hoping for answers. She’s discouraged when she remembers it’s not the same notebook she used last season, which she lost one day at the market.
Surely her supplier will remember, she thinks. The farmer walks to her hut and prepares her motorcycle for a hot, dusty ride into town. On the way, she hopes the supplier will be able to find their own ledgers from last year, and more importantly, have the fungicide in stock. But she worries about the supplier’s own ledgers. They’re contained in notepad just like the one she can no longer find…

It’s rice season. The sun torches everything without shade and the humid air remains sticky despite the clear sky.

It’s the typical day for a smallholder farmer who’s ventured out to inspect her fields. Yesterday, however, was not. An early-season flash flood has come and gone, threatening the burgeoning green rice shoots that surround her with uneven pools of water. The potential for fungal infections is on her mind and she’s concerned about the impact it could have on her yields.

Despite the oppressive heat and the challenge at hand, this smallholder must keep a clear head. She remembers a similar flash flood from last year, after which she purchased and applied fungicide to protect her rice fields. But which fungicide was it? How much did she order and how much did it cost? She reaches for her notepad – the ledger of her fields – hoping for answers. She’s discouraged when she remembers it’s not the same notebook she used last season, which she lost one day at the market.

Surely her supplier will remember, she thinks. The farmer walks to her hut and prepares her motorcycle for a hot, dusty ride into town. On the way, she hopes the supplier will be able to find their own ledgers from last year, and more importantly, have the fungicide in stock. But she worries about the supplier’s own ledgers. They’re contained in notepad just like the one she can no longer find…

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AgricaⓇ ERP Lite App: Giving Smallholder Farmers Efficiency and Accuracy
Losing this vital data is becoming a thing of the past. Today, the story is being rewritten from Better Life Farming Centers across India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, thanks to partnerships with Bayer and its work with Data For Decisions, which created the Agrica ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Lite app.
The app is a simple point-of-sale system that’s helping agri-entrepreneurs at BLF centers and smallholder farmers improve their operations. Accurate records at the store means reliable records for smallholders, so both parties can keep track of the farmer’s product purchase history. The Agrica app also facilitates the management of product stocks and billing for agri-entrepreneurs, so there’s no more worrying about missing or destroyed handwritten ledgers.

AgricaⓇ ERP Lite App: Giving Smallholder Farmers Efficiency and Accuracy

Losing this vital data is becoming a thing of the past. Today, the story is being rewritten from Better Life Farming Centers across India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, thanks to partnerships with Bayer and its work with Data For Decisions, which created the Agrica ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Lite app.

The app is a simple point-of-sale system that’s helping agri-entrepreneurs at BLF centers and smallholder farmers improve their operations. Accurate records at the store means reliable records for smallholders, so both parties can keep track of the farmer’s product purchase history. The Agrica app also facilitates the management of product stocks and billing for agri-entrepreneurs, so there’s no more worrying about missing or destroyed handwritten ledgers.

The Agrica app is very convenient for agriculture entrepreneurs and farmers. It's a boon for everyone, a boon for us, and a boon for entrepreneurs for maintaining account records.

Jashore, Bangladesh

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BLF Agrica ERP June Web

Empowering Women in Agricultural Communities
For Faucik Indah Lestari, agri-entrepreneur and owner of agri-kiosk “Tani Lestari” in Indonesia, the app is a game-changer. “I am better in managing,” she says. “It is faster to control the sell-in and sell-out of the product, out-of-stock products are easy to see, and I can easily see the price. I can control and see my income every day.”
For many women like Lestari, who make up 40% of the agricultural labor force in low- and middle-income countries, having access to innovations like the ERP Lite app can help them become more independent and earn more respect in their communities, where support is often lacking.

Empowering Women in Agricultural Communities

For Faucik Indah Lestari, agri-entrepreneur and owner of agri-kiosk “Tani Lestari” in Indonesia, the app is a game-changer. “I am better in managing,” she says. “It is faster to control the sell-in and sell-out of the product, out-of-stock products are easy to see, and I can easily see the price. I can control and see my income every day.”

For many women like Lestari, who make up 40% of the agricultural labor force in low- and middle-income countries, having access to innovations like the ERP Lite app can help them become more independent and earn more respect in their communities, where support is often lacking.

Education Increases Access to New Technologies
Access to new technologies, such as the app, are only as powerful as the education we can provide alongside them. Md. Abdul Mannan, who’s also an agri-entrepreneur in Bangladesh, is not only using the app to boost his business and streamline the process for the smallholders he works with, but he’s also helping others run their own businesses with it.
As with any adoption of new tools or tech, there are learning curves, and Mannan is rising to the challenge to educate more business owners and smallholders about ERP Lite.
“If you are using something new, you will actually have difficulties in the beginning,” he says. “We visit [BLF] centers and check their work. For those who can&#8217;t use it, we train them how to use this new app. And those who can; we look after them. It&#8217;s good, and I hope it will gradually be even easier.”

Education Increases Access to New Technologies

Access to new technologies, such as the app, are only as powerful as the education we can provide alongside them. Md. Abdul Mannan, who’s also an agri-entrepreneur in Bangladesh, is not only using the app to boost his business and streamline the process for the smallholders he works with, but he’s also helping others run their own businesses with it.

As with any adoption of new tools or tech, there are learning curves, and Mannan is rising to the challenge to educate more business owners and smallholders about ERP Lite.

“If you are using something new, you will actually have difficulties in the beginning,” he says. “We visit [BLF] centers and check their work. For those who can't use it, we train them how to use this new app. And those who can; we look after them. It's good, and I hope it will gradually be even easier.”

The App is Only the Beginning
Educating and enabling agri-entrepreneurs through the ERP Lite app is the first of many steps BLF is taking in our pursuit to empower smallholders. Looking forward, we’re working to increase access to this app for more agri-entrepreneurs and farmers, along with regular upgrades for a better user experience and more trainings on how to use it. And we’re also looking to connect distributors through the app, which would create a more seamless supply chain for all involved.

The App is Only the Beginning

Educating and enabling agri-entrepreneurs through the ERP Lite app is the first of many steps BLF is taking in our pursuit to empower smallholders. Looking forward, we’re working to increase access to this app for more agri-entrepreneurs and farmers, along with regular upgrades for a better user experience and more trainings on how to use it. And we’re also looking to connect distributors through the app, which would create a more seamless supply chain for all involved.

Female Entrepreneurship

Women Empowering Women

Women farmers play a vital role in agriculture and farming.

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