Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Louis Dreyfus Foundation Project Empowers Women Farmers in Rajasthan
A special program started by the Louis Dreyfus Foundation in 2020 is helping about 5,800 women farmers in a part of India called Rajasthan.
This project helps them learn better ways to farm, like growing more vegetables and using their farms more efficiently.
Farmers are now growing a lot more crops, like mustard and gram, and earning much more money, about 50% more than before.
They are also improving their families' health by growing healthy foods at home.
A leader from the foundation recently visited to see how well the project is going.
The goal is to help these farmers become independent and ensure there is enough food.
Approximately 5,800 women farmers in 69 villages in Rajasthan's Tonk district have benefited from the Louis Dreyfus Foundation's project.
The 'Sustainable Income Enhancement and Nutrition Security Program', supported by LDF in association with Centre for microFinance (CmF), was launched in 2020.
The project aims to improve agricultural productivity, increase income, and enhance nutrition security among women farmers through sustainable practices.
Key interventions include vegetable cultivation, farm ponds, biogas plants, nutrition gardens, and micro-irrigation systems.
Participating farmers have seen significant increases in crop yields (mustard by 80%, gram by 140%) and agricultural income (50% increase in five years).
- Who
- Louis Dreyfus Foundation (LDF), Centre for microFinance (CmF), Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Robert Serpollet, Sumeet Mittal, Malika Srivastava
- What
- Sustainable Income Enhancement and Nutrition Security Program for women farmers
- When
- Launched in 2020; recent delegation visit on November 3-4
- Where
- Tonk district, Rajasthan, India
- Why
- To improve agricultural productivity, increase income, and enhance nutrition security among women farmers, contributing to food security and poverty alleviation.
Project Goals
Reported Outcomes
Income Increase
Project Goals
The project aims to increase income for women farmers through enhanced agricultural productivity.
Reported Outcomes
Participants have experienced a 50% increase in agricultural income over five years and their income has tripled in five years.
Crop Yield Improvement
Project Goals
The program is designed to help farmers achieve higher crop yields through sustainable practices.
Reported Outcomes
Yields for mustard have increased by 80%, and for gram by 140%.
Nutrition Enhancement
Project Goals
The project seeks to enhance nutrition security among women farmers and their households.
Reported Outcomes
Over 1,600 families are now growing vegetables at home, contributing to improved household nutrition.
- Foundation
- Louis Dreyfus Foundation (LDF)
- Partner Organization
- Centre for microFinance (CmF)
- Project Location
- Tonk district, Rajasthan, India
- Project Launch Year
- 2020
- Beneficiaries
- Approx. 5,800 women farmers in 69 villages
- Key Interventions
- Vegetable cultivation, farm ponds, biogas plants, nutrition gardens, micro-irrigation systems, orchard plantations, trellis plantations, goat shelter construction.
- Recent Visit
- November 3-4