The Pragati Sustainable Castor Initiative
PRAGATI MEANS 'PROGRESS' IN HINDI
The goals of Pragati are to enhance castor productivity in India, where the majority of the world's supply originates. In order to address the main bottlenecks towards sustainability of castor production, a Sustainable Castor Code - the SUCCESS® code - has been developed by the members, which ensures future security of castor supply and safety of farmers
The Sustainable Castor Initiative Project
This is accomplished by training farmers according to the SUCCESS® code to build capacity, improve yields, and reduce environmental impacts, thus helping them to cultivate castor beans effectively and in a more sustainable way.
The initiative also provides educational materials to improve the skills and knowledge of the local farmers, to improve their income, and to ensure better health and living conditions.
Some of the first wave of farmers to receive their sustainability certificates.
Key project features
Some of the key features inherent in the castor crop as a favored renewable feedstock for polymers:
- Naturally drought resistant
- Does not cause deforestation in India
- Not in competition with human or animal food chains
- Resistant to many insects
- Considered to be a profitable crop with low inputs and high returns
- Harvested 4-6 months after planting
- Grown mainly in India (80% of the world's supply) - Primarily in the state of Gujarat
- Grown by approximately 700,000 farmers in India alone!
- Also used to make ingredients for lubricants, coatings, and pharmaceuticals
Key project achievements
Some of the key accomplishments of the Pragati initiative to date (February 2026 results) are:
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Over 10,000 farmers have been trained,
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Over 140,000 tons of certified castor seed have been cumulatively cultivated since the beginning of the project
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Year 9 yield by certified farmers is 32% higher than the government estimates for the entire state
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Over 12,000 hectares are now being regularly farmed in accordance with the SuCCESS sustainable castor code. Pragati farmers are increasing their land dedicated to castor farming as it is seen as a profitable crop
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As compared to local averages, water consumption has been lowered by approx. 30% in the demo plots where accurate measurement and controls are in place
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Approximately 10,000 safety kits have been distributed free of charge
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More than 150 medical camps organized in all project villages benefiting thousands of farmers, farm workers and their family members
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This year, more than 450 capacity-building training sessions were held with farmers
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Over 500 lead farmers have been identified and trained to guide certified farmer groups
The full results are available in the Pragati brochure.
Discover the testimonies of farmers involved in the Pragati initiative
Besides working with castor farming as a whole, one key objective of the Pragati initiative is to increase involvement of women in the program, providing support and advice to help them run their own farms.
MEET THE CASTOR FARMING COMMUNITY
Take an immersive trip with us through the fields and yards in Gujarat India. Feel free to explore the 360° view, enjoy the beautiful landscapes and hear the testimonies from the farmers and their families.
