A Guwahati-based firm is integrating women farmers from a remote Assam village into the agricultural supply chain to improve their market access [1].
This initiative shifts the control of pricing and negotiations from external intermediaries directly to the producers. By removing these barriers, the program aims to empower women who have historically been excluded from the business side of farming [1].
ADGA-EXIM, founded by siblings Gaurav Medhi and Drishti Medhi, adopted the mountain village of Umpanai in the Karbi Anglong district last year [1]. The company now manages the logistics of the supply chain, including the critical stages of pricing and market entry [1].
In many rural agricultural hubs, women perform the bulk of the labor but lack authority over the final sale of their goods. This project seeks to change that dynamic by giving these farmers direct involvement in the commercial aspects of their work [1].
The focus on Umpanai allows the company to create a scalable model for other mountain villages in the region. By handling the complex negotiations required for export and domestic trade, ADGA-EXIM enables the farmers to focus on production while securing fairer returns [1].
“ADGA-EXIM is bringing women farmers into the agricultural supply chain”
The transition of women from laborers to stakeholders in the supply chain addresses a systemic gap in rural Indian agriculture. By institutionalizing market access through a dedicated firm, the model reduces the reliance on predatory middlemen and creates a more sustainable economic framework for marginalized farming communities in Northeast India.
