the Responsible Farming Lab

FEED, in partnership with the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), proudly presents the Responsible Farming Lab. This initiative is designed as a center for research, innovation, policy support, education, and collaboration in sustainable agriculture and responsible sourcing. 

Our mission is to create a fair, transparent, and thriving agricultural framework that benefits everyone involved, from the smallest farmers to the largest cooperatives.

Our Key Focus Areas

Research & Development

Act as a think tank exploring innovative methods and technologies in sustainable farming, cooperative management (including FPOs), and efficient value chains.

Building Synergies

Equip students, farmers, and stakeholders with the latest knowledge and skills in sustainable farming and responsible sourcing.

Community Engagement

Collaborate with farmer collectives to integrate them into the agricultural value chain and promote the Marginal Farmer Produce Brand.

Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chain

Facilitate Public-Private Partnerships to establish new, sustainable value chains that benefit all participants.

Advancing FEED’s Mission

Driving Sustainable Agricultural Innovation

This collaboration is central to advancing FEED’s commitment to:

Collaboration with VAMNICOM

Partnership with Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM)

Our collaboration with VAMNICOM is pivotal in driving the Responsible Farming Lab’s success. By leveraging VAMNICOM’s expertise in cooperative management and FEED’s dedication to sustainable agriculture, this partnership will lead to groundbreaking advancements in the agricultural sector.

Initiative by the Responsible Farming Lab

Responsible Sourcing Code

Marginal Farm Produce Brand

PACS Business Diversification

What is the Responsible Sourcing Code (RSC)?

The Responsible Sourcing Code (RSC) is an innovative, farmer-first initiative launched by FEED to bring together all stakeholders in the food supply chain on the Responsible Shared Prosperity Platform. Our goal is to unlock the potential of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to localize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) actions and adapt to climate change on a large scale. By aligning the capacity and resource needs of FPOs with adequate public and private investments, RSC aims to create a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

Why RSC Matters

Boosting Farmer Incomes

Innovative Technologies

Deploy planet-positive technologies and sustainable inputs to enhance productivity and profitability.

Responsible Aggregation

Establish responsible aggregation and processing facilities to improve efficiency and value addition.

Collaborative Efforts

Stakeholder Integration

Foster collaboration among farmers, governments, civil society, and businesses to build innovative supply chain infrastructure.

Market Signals

Create market conditions that incentivize sustainable and agro-ecological practices.

Addressing Fragmentation

Technological Innovation

Introduce technological, process, and institutional innovations to overcome the challenges faced by marginal farmers due to fragmented farming conditions.

Our Mission

As a farmer-first, industry-led platform, RSC is committed to:

Empowerment

Enable farmers to adopt sustainable practices.

Design

Develop innovative solutions for the food system ecosystem.

Linkage

Connect stakeholders for overall consumer and producer gains.

Key Components

Sustainability Win-Win for FPOs and Industry

Foster sustainable practices that benefit both FPOs and the industry.

Policy and Public Programme Leverage

Utilize policy frameworks and public programs to support sustainable agriculture.

Industry Convening and Implementation Framework

Establish a structured approach for industry collaboration and implementation of sustainable practices.

Marginal Farm Produce Brand

This initiative aims to create a recognizable and trusted label for products sourced from marginal farmers across India. By boosting the visibility and marketability of these products, we strive to contribute to the economic empowerment and social inclusion of marginal farmers.

Certification Standards

Quality Assurance

Develop and implement stringent certification standards to ensure the quality and authenticity of products.

Sustainable Practices

Promote sustainable farming practices that enhance soil health, reduce environmental impact, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.

Transparency

Provide transparency in the sourcing and production processes to build consumer trust and confidence.

Capacity Building

Training Programs

Conduct comprehensive training programs for farmers to improve their farming techniques, post-harvest handling, and business management skills.

Technical Assistance

Offer continuous technical support to help farmers adopt modern agricultural practices and technologies.

Market Access

Distribution Channels

Establish robust distribution channels to connect marginal farmers with local, national, and international markets.

Fair Pricing

Ensure fair pricing mechanisms that allow farmers to receive a fair share of the consumer price.

Brand Promotion

Marketing Campaigns

Launch targeted marketing campaigns to raise awareness about the brand and the benefits of supporting marginal farmers.

PACS Business Diversification

The Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been the cornerstone of rural finance, offering crucial credit and support services to farmers. Now, under the Responsible Farming Lab initiative, PACS are being encouraged to diversify their business activities. This strategy aims to blend sustainable farming practices with innovative business ventures, bolstering the economic resilience of PACS and the rural communities they support.