ITC Secures India First FSA 3.0 Certification for Sustainable Wheat and Paddy Sourcing

NEW DELHI: In a landmark achievement for Indian agriculture, ITC Limited has become the first company in the country to receive the prestigious Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0 certification for wheat and paddy. This global recognition underscores ITC’s leadership in sustainable farming and significantly enhances the access of Indian farmers to premium international markets.

A Milestone in Global Standards:
The FSA 3.0, developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, is a globally recognized framework used by the world’s leading food and beverage companies to verify value-chain sustainability. By meeting these rigorous standards, ITC has demonstrated that its sourcing is not only responsible and traceable but also fully aligned with the strict environmental and labor due diligence required by markets like the European Union.

The certification covers:

Scope: Over 22,000 acres across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• Impact: Engaging 3,500+ farmers through 70+ Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Compliance: Adherence to 30 formal policies covering soil health, biodiversity, and emission reduction.

Empowering Farmers Through Climate-Smart Innovation:
ITC’s success is rooted in its Crop Development Programme, which integrates high-tech solutions with traditional farming. Through the ITCMAARS “phygital” ecosystem, farmers have adopted advanced techniques such as:

• Precision Farming: Use of drone spraying, micro-irrigation, and nano-fertilizers.
• Climate Resilience: Implementation of zero tillage, direct-seeded rice, and heat-tolerant crop varieties.
• Digital Traceability: Every participating farm is geo-fenced, ensuring end-to-end transparency from the field to the final consumer.

Strengthening India’s Agri-Export Competitiveness:
Beyond environmental benefits, the certification offers tangible economic advantages. For farmers, it translates into higher yields and better price realization through direct linkages to global buyers who prioritize sustainability.

“By promoting cultivation of traceable, high-quality agri produce, we are linking Indian farmers to global markets and ensuring higher incomes,” said Mr. S Ganesh Kumar, Divisional Chief Executive, Agri Business, ITC Ltd. “Our focus demonstrates that sustainability and business competitiveness can go hand in hand, strengthening the country’s agri-export potential.”

This certification is a testament to ITC’s broader commitment to rural empowerment. Its ITCMAARS platform has already reached over 2.2 million farmers, providing them with AI-enabled advisories and high-quality inputs, effectively bridging the gap between local farms and the global economy.