Solapur Millet Value Chain Development Project

KS Development Partners collaborated on the design and implementation framework for a sustainable millet value chain initiative in Solapur, Maharashtra, focused on strengthening farmer livelihoods, improving processing infrastructure, and expanding market access for climate-resilient crops.

The project was developed as a pilot model covering multiple millet varieties including foxtail, finger millet, little millet, kodo, proso, barnyard millet, and jowar. Working alongside farmer producer organisations, technical experts, and private sector stakeholders, the initiative aimed to create an integrated ecosystem spanning farmer engagement, farmgate processing, procurement, market linkages, and value-added product development.

The programme focused on supporting 50–100 farmers across more than 50 acres through capacity building, technical training, transparent pricing mechanisms, and access to sustainable market opportunities. A key component of the project included the establishment of a primary processing hub for cleaning, grading, dehusking, and packaging millets to improve post-harvest quality and enable scalable commercial supply chains.

KS Development Partners contributed to stakeholder coordination, implementation planning, ecosystem development, and long-term market linkage strategies designed to strengthen buyer networks and improve farmer income resilience. The project also incorporated practical impact measurement frameworks to track yield improvement, farmer profitability, post-harvest loss reduction, and adoption of improved agricultural practices.

Through partnerships with technical institutions, food companies, and local producer organisations, the initiative laid the foundation for a scalable and commercially viable millet ecosystem that promotes sustainable agriculture, rural enterprise development, and climate-smart farming practices in the region.