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Struggling farmers find hope in India co-operative

Last year, Sahyadri Farms cooperative, launched in 2011 by 110 small growers, expanded to 30,000 members, becoming India's leading grape exporter and major produce supplier.
Farmer Vilas Shinde founded Sahyadri Farms cooperative in 2011 after export failures, arguing 30,000 member farmers owning under a hectare 'can achieve so much more' together.
Nearly $40 million from Proparco, subsidiary of the French Development Agency , and a pool of investors in 2022 helped expand export markets, diversify crops, and fund infrastructure like a biogas plant and water-recycling facility, supporting around 6,500 staff.
Raising members' incomes, a cooperative leader says that a farmer managing six hectares now earns 700 million rupees annually, which leaders say can help curb Maharashtra farmer suicides amid over 3,090 deaths.
Amid shifting weather patterns this year, Sahyadri Farms cooperative plants resilient grape varieties developed by Nathe, while a recent US trade deal announced this month angers farmers' unions though its impact is unclear.

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