Report outlines environmental goals, farmer engagement, gender inclusion, and community development

Yara India, the Indian subsidiary of Yara International, released the third edition of its annual Sustainability Report 2024 titled ‘Greener Pathways – Fostering a Nature-Positive Food Future’. The report was formally unveiled at the Royal Norwegian Embassy and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its operations in India.

As per the company, the report aligns with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Universal Standards 2021 and covers Yara India’s ESG performance across its manufacturing facility in Babrala, Uttar Pradesh, and its community development initiatives under Kiran – A Yara India Community Initiative.

Key highlights from the Sustainability Report 2024 as claimed by company include:

Farmer outreach: Yara India reached over 650,000 farmers through agronomy training and digital platforms such as FarmCare and YaraConnect.

Environmental impact: The company reused 967 million litres of water, carried out afforestation on 7.4 acres, and is targeting a reduction of 70,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions by 2026.

Logistics efficiency: A shift to rail-based transport helped reduce carbon emissions by 27 per cent and resulted in logistics cost savings of over $205,000.

Gender inclusion: Yara India is working toward a 30% representation of women in senior leadership by 2025 and continues to support women farmers through targeted programs.

Youth and MSME support: The Yara Leadership Academy has supported 699 youth- and women-led MSMEs across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar through a structured 15-week capacity-building programme.

Community development: Over 20,000 students have been engaged through education initiatives, 6,389 patients have received healthcare support, and 379 women’s self-help groups have been supported.

Governance standards: The company reported zero confirmed incidents of corruption, with all operations evaluated for corruption risks under its compliance frameworks, including Code of Conduct, Anti-Bribery Policy, Whistleblower Policy, and POSH guidelines.

Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said: “This year’s report reflects our ongoing efforts to build more resilient farming communities and enhance the sustainability of the food value chain. We continue to work towards inclusive, science-based, and locally adapted solutions that support long-term agricultural transformation.”

May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, who attended the event, remarked: “It is encouraging to see sustainability principles embedded in the operations of Norwegian companies such as Yara. The release of this report highlights Yara’s role in supporting responsible business practices and climate goals in India.”

Looking ahead, Yara India plans to expand its focus on regenerative agriculture, increase the use of biostimulants, adopt digital technologies, and introduce vessel-based shipping to further reduce its environmental footprint.

The company reiterated its intent to work closely with farmers, communities, and policymakers to contribute to a food system that is more climate-smart, inclusive, and resilient.