Arkema Launches Inclusive Fund to Empower Castor Farming Communities in India
Arkema, a global specialty materials leader, has announced the launch of a new philanthropic fund aimed at supporting and empowering castor farming communities in India. This initiative is open to all stakeholders in the castor value chain—customers, brands, partners, and other actors—offering a unique opportunity to collectively promote sustainable agriculture and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Driving Sustainable Impact in Castor Cultivation
The newly launched fund is designed to support and scale initiatives that deliver tangible benefits across three core areas: improving farmer livelihoods, advancing regenerative agricultural practices, and promoting long-term environmental stewardship in castor-growing regions of India. These regions are predominantly located in semi-arid zones where castor is a key cash crop, and where smallholder farmers often face limited access to training, technology, and market opportunities.
With an ambitious goal of training between 100,000 to 150,000 farmers by 2030, the fund will help expand education and outreach programs that teach sustainable and efficient agricultural techniques. These include water conservation practices, soil regeneration methods, and biodiversity-friendly farming models that are essential for building resilience in the face of climate change.
A Collaborative Approach to Shared Responsibility
What sets this initiative apart is its open, collaborative model. The fund is open to contributions from across the castor value chain, inviting participation from stakeholders large and small. From multinational brands to local cooperatives, all contributors will play an active role in shaping and driving impactful change.
“By pooling resources and aligning strategic objectives, we can collectively amplify our impact,” said an Arkema spokesperson. “This fund represents a shared commitment to responsible sourcing and a resilient agricultural future. We’re proud to provide a platform for joint action.”
Arkema, as the fund’s anchor donor, has pledged both financial and strategic support and will remain deeply engaged in its evolution and impact. A dedicated Steering Committee will be established to guide the fund’s direction and ensure that its resources are deployed effectively. This committee will work in close coordination with implementation partners and oversee project selection, evaluation, and execution.
Partnering for Transparency and Execution
To ensure rigorous oversight and professional administration, the fund will be managed by TT Foundation Advisors (TTFA). TTFA is the philanthropy advisory arm of Temasek Trust, the philanthropic arm of Temasek, a global investment company based in Singapore. With a deep background in fund management, strategic philanthropy, and donor stewardship, TTFA brings extensive experience in ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes in development initiatives.
TTFA’s responsibilities will include managing donor relationships, ensuring financial transparency, and overseeing governance frameworks. “The Castor Farmer Education Fund reflects a shared commitment to empower farming communities and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices. TT Foundation Advisors is honoured to partner with Arkema and Solidaridad to provide a trusted, transparent platform that enables all stakeholders to collaborate and achieve better outcomes for the castor value chain,” said Dickson Lim, Head of TT Foundation Advisors.
Solidaridad: The Implementation Partner
Solidaridad, an international civil society organization with over five decades of experience in sustainable agriculture, will serve as the fund’s initial grantee and project executor. The organization will be responsible for designing and implementing farmer training programs, monitoring project progress, and sourcing local projects aligned with the fund’s objectives.
“Solidaridad has a long-standing presence in India and deep roots in the farming communities that grow castor,” said Shatadru Chattopadhyay, Managing Director of Solidaridad Asia. “With the adoption of sustainability principles, small-scale farmers are able to improve income as well as soil health and biodiversity. With Arkema, this initiative can be scaled in castor-growing regions to build long-term resilience among the farming community.”
Solidaridad’s proven approach to farmer capacity building—focused on practical, field-level training and long-term engagement—has made it a natural partner for this ambitious project. The organization has collaborated with Arkema previously through the Pragati Program, which laid the groundwork for today’s broader and more inclusive initiative.
A Strong Foundation: Arkema’s Commitment to Sustainable Castor
Arkema’s involvement in castor farming sustainability is not new. The company has been a pioneer in responsible sourcing of castor oil and derivatives for nearly a decade. As one of the founding members of the Sustainable Castor Association, Arkema played a key role in developing the SuCCESS Sustainable Castor Farming Code, a benchmark for responsible castor cultivation practices.
Since 2016, Arkema has supported the Pragati Program, which has trained over 10,000 farmers in Gujarat—India’s primary castor-producing state. The program reported impressive results, including a 57% increase in crop yield and a 33% reduction in water usage among participating farmers. These results demonstrate the clear benefits of sustainable practices, both for productivity and environmental conservation.
Beyond training, the program also promoted responsible labor practices, safety standards, and traceability throughout the value chain—critical issues in the broader conversation about sustainability in agriculture.
The Sustainability Case for Castor
Castor is a particularly strategic crop in the context of sustainable agriculture. It is drought-resistant, grows well on marginal land that is not suited for food crops, and does not require deforestation or intensive inputs. Moreover, castor farming in India is largely carried out by smallholder farmers, making it a high-impact area for inclusive development and rural livelihood improvement.
The oil extracted from castor beans is a vital feedstock for a wide range of applications—from high-performance polymers and lubricants to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. As global demand for bio-based materials grows, the need to ensure sustainable and ethical sourcing becomes even more pressing.
