New Delhi: The Walmart Foundation announced a grant of close to $2 million to Agribusiness Systems International ( ASI ) to help smallholder farmers in India diversify the markets for their produce. The funding will enable ASI to implement the Farmer Market Readiness Project in India’s Andhra Pradesh , it said in a statement.According to the statement, ASI will provide farmers with the knowledge, resources, and services to enhance their market-readiness and expand their reach. The goal is to improve the livelihoods of 15,000 farmers and their families and communities over the coming two years.“Smallholder farmers are vital to ensuring sustainable access to nutritious food around the world. The Walmart Foundation is proud to launch this effort to support small-scale farmers in Andhra Pradesh as they grow their skills and create opportunities for their families and community. The approach that ASI is taking to the work is one that looks at how a range of actors – from the government to financial institutions and local businesses – can all be a part of supporting farmers in this growth," said Julie Gehrki , vice president, programs for Walmart Foundation.The Market Readiness Project will encourage farmers to work together and help them learn new skills to improve their productivity and the quality of their produce. As a key part of the program, ASI will promote closer links between buyers and farmers.“The Walmart Foundation’s support of smallholder farmers in Andhra Pradesh will help unlock the potential of farmer livelihoods for generations by focusing on sustainable and transparent partnerships with public and private sector supply chain actors. In Andhra Pradesh, private sector actors are eager to engage more closely with smallholder farmers. This represents a great opportunity for these farmers to reach bigger and better markets through private sector engagement," said Amit Singh, ASI India country representative.Walmart Foundation funded training for a million farmers and farm workers in 15 countries between 2011 and 2016. Half of those trained were women. Walmart’s current focus is on programs to support farmers in India and Mexico.