Amazon India, the popular e-commerce company, recently announced a significant partnership with ICAR, the government’s premier agricultural research body. The collaboration aims to support farmers who are part of Amazon’s ‘Kisan store’ by providing them with scientific guidance on cultivating different crops effectively, maximizing their yields, and increasing their income.
The ‘Kisan store’ section was introduced on the Amazon platform in September 2021, offering farmers the convenience of doorstep delivery for agricultural inputs. Through assisted shopping at Amazon Easy stores, farmers can easily access these products. The success of a pilot project conducted in Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, has motivated both organizations to expand their partnership further.
During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), U S Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) from ICAR, and Siddharth Tata, Product Leader for Amazon Fresh Supply Chain and Kisan, represented their respective organizations. ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak expressed his optimism about the Public-Private-Peasants-Partnership (PPPP) and highlighted the immense potential of technology to transform the agricultural sector and improve the lives of Indian farmers.
Harsh Goyal, Director and Head of Fresh and Everyday Essentials at Amazon India, emphasized that the collaboration with ICAR will create an ecosystem that strengthens the entire ‘farm to fork’ supply chain, benefiting the farming community. Amazon believes that this partnership and the MoU with farmers will guarantee access to high-quality fresh produce for consumers across India, including those who use the Amazon Fresh service.
The MoU outlines the cooperation between Amazon and ICAR to disseminate the latest and most accurate agricultural practices developed through ICAR’s extensive research. This collaboration aims to bridge the knowledge gaps in integrated cultivation by leveraging ICAR’s KVK Knowledge network. KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) play a vital role in assisting farmers by providing technological support through the transfer of knowledge and capacity-building programs.
In addition to knowledge sharing, ICAR and Amazon will jointly organize farmer engagement programs at KVKs. These initiatives will include demonstrations, trials, and capacity-building activities to enhance farming practices and increase farm profitability. Moreover, Amazon will offer training support and assist farmers in marketing their produce through its online platform, enabling direct connections with consumers.
This collaboration between Amazon India and ICAR holds great promise for the agricultural sector. By combining their expertise and resources, they aim to empower farmers, promote sustainable cultivation practices, and enhance the overall agricultural supply chain.
