Akshayakalpa Organic Partners with British International Investment and Samunnati to Support Smallholder Dairy Farmers

New Delhi: Akshayakalpa Organic, India’s pioneering certified organic dairy enterprise, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British International Investment plc (BII) and Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited (Samunnati) to provide financial support to up to 1,500 smallholder dairy farmers across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

Partnership Details: The partnership involves BII extending guarantees through its £200 million Climate Innovation Facility, announced at COP26, to facilitate formal financing for Akshayakalpa Organic’s smallholder farmers. These farmers, traditionally outside the formal lending ecosystem, will benefit from the partnership, supporting them in scaling up their organic dairy businesses.

Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture: Akshayakalpa Organic, known for its commitment to organic and ethical dairy farming, aims to enhance the well-being of farmers by providing infrastructure, advanced technologies, and comprehensive support. Through this collaboration, farmers will be assisted in transitioning to organic and sustainable farming practices, leading to increased milk production and crop productivity while obtaining organic certification.

Climate Impact and Sustainability: The transition to an organic model is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk produced, contributing to climate change mitigation and promoting sustainability in India’s dairy industry.

Signatories and Statements: The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Shashi Kumar, CEO & Co-founder of Akshayakalpa Organic, Mr. Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner – Karnataka & Kerala, Mr. Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati, and Mr. Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII.

Mr. Shashi Kumar expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This association marks a significant milestone for Akshayakalpa, validating our mission to promote sustainable and organic farming.”

Mr. Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner, emphasized the UK’s commitment to supporting environment-resilient farming initiatives in India through BII.

Mr. Srini Nagarajan from BII highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion and sustainable practices, aligning with BII’s strategy in India.

Mr. Anil Kumar SG of Samunnati emphasized the broader mission, stating, “This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to positive transformation, benefitting both the farmers and the broader agricultural landscape.”

Conclusion: The MoU signifies a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture, positive transformation, and support for local farming communities. Akshayakalpa Organic’s collaboration with BII and Samunnati is expected to have a lasting impact on smallholder dairy farmers and contribute to the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector in the region.