In the heart of India’s grape-growing belt in Sangli, Vinifex Agro Producer Company Ltd. represents more than a farmers’ organization — it is a collective vision of smallholder producers shaping their own market future. Built on Fairtrade principles, Vinifex empowers farmers not only to supply global markets, but to lead decision-making, manage Premium investments, and drive sustainable growth.

Yet in recent years, grape cultivation in the region has come under increasing pressure. Unseasonal rainfall, fluctuating temperatures, and delayed ripening cycles have introduced new production risks. At the same time, maintaining Fairtrade certification demands strong governance, transparent Premium management, and continuous alignment with evolving standards. For smallholder farmers, meeting both climate and compliance challenges required more than determination — it required strategic partnership.

In January 2026, Fairtrade NAPP initiated a focused engagement with Vinifex Agro to strengthen climate resilience, reinforce Fairtrade systems, and equip producers with practical tools to thrive in a changing environment. Over four intensive days, NAPP’s technical team worked with Vinifex leadership, staff, and farmers to build capacity, strengthen governance, and advance innovation at field level.

Strengthening Systems, Not Just Compliance

The engagement went beyond standard training. Producers explored Fairtrade standards, pre- and post-audit preparedness, buyer identification processes, and Premium governance structures. Dedicated sessions on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence strengthened understanding of ethical supply chain responsibilities. Gender and youth representatives were nominated for future leadership programs, ensuring inclusive governance and continuity of producer-led management.

For Vinifex, this meant more than meeting certification requirements — it meant building a stronger institution capable of leading its own sustainability journey.

Fairtrade Premium in Action

Field visits offered powerful evidence of how Fairtrade Premium investments are transforming everyday farming practices. Farmers proudly demonstrated Premium-funded interventions already in place:

• Weather stations improving climate monitoring and farm planning
• Protective spraying kits enhancing farmer health and safety
• Activated biochar trials regenerating soil and reducing chemical dependency

Producers were able to explain each investment, its purpose, and its benefits — reflecting strong ownership, transparency, and accountability in Premium management. Several farmers have emerged as quiet champions of innovation, encouraging peers to adopt new technologies introduced through the Fairtrade–NAPP partnership.

Innovation for Climate Resilience

One of the most promising outcomes of the engagement has been the introduction of activated biochar in grape cultivation. As extreme weather events delayed berry ripening during the visit, the urgency for climate-adaptive solutions became clear. Biochar offers a sustainable pathway — improving soil health, increasing water retention, lowering input costs, and reducing reliance on pesticides.

Farmers expressed strong commitment to scaling biochar use, not only as an agronomic solution but also as a future enterprise opportunity for rural women and youth. What began as a pilot trial is now evolving into a producer-led climate innovation strategy.

“We perform all activities suggested by Fairtrade NAPP and Vinifex. We welcome more collaboration in climate change and enterprise development.”
— Bappu Maruti Aasbe, Vinifex Farmer

“The use of activated biochar has supported plant health and seems a good alternative to pesticides.”
— Kadambari Patil, Producer Member

A Partnership Building Future-Ready Farmers

As a result of the engagement, Vinifex Agro now stands better prepared to:

• Navigate climate uncertainty
• Strengthen Fairtrade compliance and governance
• Expand inclusive leadership through gender and youth participation
• Scale Premium-funded innovations
• Access sustainable global markets

Follow-up actions are already underway, including quarterly technical trainings, documentation of biochar trials, and expanded participation in green enterprise development. These next steps ensure that the learning gained translates into long-term structural change, stronger producer governance, and climate-resilient livelihoods.