In the Umerkote area of Orissa, India, predatory lenders sometimes exploit resource-poor farmers by charging high interest rates — more than 20 percent a year. Often, farmers are unable to pay back these loans because they have access only to poor-quality seed. Monsanto Sales representative Dibyendu Padhan realized that Umerkote’s agronomic conditions were ideal for maize cultivation and that Monsanto hybrid varieties would do well there — if only farmers had access to the technology and reliable agricultural credit.

Padhan set up meetings between local leaders and banks supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). As a result, NABARD-supported banks offered the farmers low-cost credit to purchase DeKalb maize seed and other inputs. Padhan also explained the differences between open-pollinated and hybrid seed to the farmers. He introduced best agronomic practices by constructing 100 demonstration plots of DeKalb hybrids.

Through his efforts, a transparent, reliable credit and distribution system was created. By adopting hybrids and improved agronomic practices, the farmers increased their yields by 1.8 to 2 metric tons a hectare. “With access to low-cost credit, high-yielding DeKalb corn hybrids, farm inputs, and crop agronomy knowledge, they have almost doubled their income,” said Ajai Rana, Monsanto India corn business lead.