Grow Further is on a mission to make a difference.
We’re rolling out grants in support of innovative research that will improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, benefiting food security in their communities and countries in turn. We’re now actively supporting research and development efforts in Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe. We’re eager to support projects that help smallholder farms in a variety of developing countries, not only those in Africa. India looms large on Grow Further’s radar, which is why our Founder and CEO and Vice President of Development recently returned from there after an extended trip.
Asked why India is so important for Grow Further, CEO Peter Kelly gave a great answer:
“India is the most populous country on Earth, one facing both floods and droughts from climate change, home to the largest number of poor and food-insecure people,” he said. The country’s influence extends well beyond the subcontinent, he added. “India plays a significant role in African agriculture, with members of the diaspora owning many agribusiness firms and farmers often finding Indian technology more relevant and affordable than that from the West.”
Peter and Vice President Venkat Pegadaraju recently spent three weeks in India.
Both said their visit was highly successful. Not only is it the largest country in the world in terms of population, but India also has a long and proud agricultural past. It was at the heart of the Green Revolution, a period of agricultural innovation that began in the early 20th century and spread globally, increasing crop yields with India transforming itself into a net food exporter in a few short years. Several important ag research institutions were founded there, as well, including the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). And yet, much of the countryside continues to struggle with poverty and food insecurity.
We’re focused on India because we know that India is playing a huge role in the world’s food security picture, and we believe Grow Further is poised to greatly contribute to India’s unique needs.
An auspicious trip
Peter had been to India prior to Grow Further’s tour of the country. Venkat spent his childhood there. On this most recent visit, they both got to see a lot more of the country traveling by plane, train, and automobiles.
“We went to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Pune, Delhi, and in some cases rural areas in the vicinity of these cities,” Peter recalled.
Everywhere they went, they made important connections in food security circles. They met with top officials and researchers from key nonprofits, government agencies, and agricultural companies and visited both farms and food processing facilities. They also met leading agricultural researchers at some of India’s top universities. Between meetings, Peter and Venkat also took some opportunities to enjoy themselves as tourists.
“One of the most prominent people we met was Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, chair of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation,” Peter said. Dr. Swaminathan was chief scientist at the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also happens to be the daughter of Dr. MS Swaminathan, father of the Green Revolution in India. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is a great connection for Grow Further to have. “Our first project in India may take the form of a grant to the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, which is an agricultural research institute,” Peter noted.
Venkat made a few additional stops on the tour in and around Hyderabad. He also spent a day with ICRISAT, an organization Grow Further is currently partnering with on a project in Zimbabwe.
“I gained insights into their peanut breeding initiative aimed at enhancing the nutritional amino acid composition in peanuts,” Venkat explained. “This visit provided valuable perspectives on leveraging agricultural innovation to address nutritional challenges.” He also visited with officials at a facility run by the International Livestock Research Institute.
Goals accomplished, return guaranteed
Peter and Venkat spent weeks laying the groundwork for the India trip and were very busy planning for Grow Further’s future there.
“The purpose of the trip was to develop business partnerships and receive strategic advice in preparation for future programs in India,” Peter said. “The aim is to develop programs that are similar to those in Africa but not exactly the same.”
Grow Further understands things work differently in India.
Development agencies tend to bypass large countries in favor of smaller developing countries where they can have greater influence. India’s government, private sector, and philanthropic community has already organized things to work their way. India also already boasts sophisticated scientific research capacities.
It’s a massive country with significant capabilities, but there are many ways that Grow Further can help India achieve its food security goals. Peter and Venkat’s trip was equally about networking and educating ourselves on the country and its agricultural sectors. We’re also better placed to expand our outreach to the Indian diaspora in the United States and beyond thanks to their travels in India.
They agree that Grow Further’s first official tour of India was a great success.
“I am pleased to say that the trip was highly successful,” Venkat said. “Not only did we achieve our immediate objectives, but we also established a solid foundation for future engagement and program development in India.” He said a return visit is definitely warranted “to maintain the momentum generated during this initial visit.”
“This trip was primarily exploratory,” he added, “aimed at uncovering and discovering opportunities on a broad level, building relationships, and gaining insights into the landscape for Grow Further’s potential involvement in India.”
Peter is looking forward to returning to India at some point in the future, as well.
“As in other countries, we plan to support innovations that can help farmers adapt to climate change and improve income and nutrition,” he said. “There are a huge number of different project areas where Grow Further could be helpful to India.”
— Grow Further
Photo credit: Venkat Pegadaraju
