Ninjacart to develop maize cluster in UP under PPP model

Agri Ministry clears Ninjacart’s maize value chain project in Uttar Pradesh under PPPAVCD, aiming to connect 10,000+ farmers to ethanol units and enhance income and productivity. Similar PPP initiatives for spices, millets, and potatoes are also in the works.

In a pioneering move to enhance agricultural value chains through public-private partnerships, the Ministry of Agriculture has approved a landmark proposal by agri-supply chain platform Ninjacart to develop a maize cluster in Uttar Pradesh. This is the first initiative under the newly launched Public-Private Partnership for Agriculture Value Chain Development (PPPAVCD), and is expected to significantly uplift maize farming in the region.

Under the project, Ninjacart will procure 25,000 tonnes of maize annually from over 10,000 farmers spread across five districts in Uttar Pradesh. According to sources, a major portion of this maize will be supplied to ethanol production units, supporting India’s green energy goals. The initiative aims to bring in modern agricultural practices, provide quality inputs, and ensure a robust buyback mechanism that protects farmers against market volatility.

PPPAVCD is designed to promote value chain creation across commodities like maize, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture produce—while deliberately excluding paddy and wheat, which already have established procurement systems. The model envisions collaboration between private companies, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and agri-startups. These entities will work closely with government schemes to deliver financial and technical benefits directly to farmers.

Each PPPAVCD project will span three to five years, integrating central and state-level initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and price deficiency payment schemes. Through this convergence, farmers will receive financial assistance via direct benefit transfer (DBT), reducing dependency on intermediaries and improving efficiency in delivery.

Officials confirmed that 18 such projects are currently in various stages of development across states like Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. These projects encompass diverse crops—ranging from maize and potatoes to turmeric, ginger, soybeans, fruits, and millets. Collectively, they are projected to benefit around 100,000 farmers with an estimated investment of ₹1,000 crore. The goal is to increase farmers’ income by 35-40% and enhance productivity by 20-25%.

In addition to Ninjacart’s maize initiative, other PPPAVCD projects include ginger and turmeric clusters in Odisha by Heifer International, and a potato cluster in Uttar Pradesh by global processor Agristo Masa. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for these projects are expected to be signed soon.

Several major agri-companies—such as Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, JK Foods, ADM Agro, and the Madhya Pradesh Women Poultry Producers Company—are currently in discussions to develop commodity-specific value chains tailored to regional agro-climatic conditions.

Officials acknowledge ongoing challenges in agri-value chain development, including limited access to formal credit, poor logistical connectivity, lack of quality inputs, and limited awareness of government schemes among farmers. Nevertheless, the PPPAVCD framework aims to address these gaps and create a sustainable, market-linked ecosystem that empowers Indian farmers.

By fostering collaboration between the government and private sector, this initiative represents a major step toward transforming India’s agricultural landscape—offering farmers better incomes, enhanced productivity, and long-term resilience.