[1] In 2016, Suminter was working with over 20,000 farmers[2] in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan,[3] covering 110,000 acres (450 km2) of land under organic cultivation.
[2] After completing his undergraduate studies overseas, Sameer Mehra returned to India in 1998 with the idea of organic contract farming.
[1][2] There was a growing global demand for organic produce and India had unique advantages that made it a natural choice for cultivating these products: tropical weather and varied landscape ensure agro-climatic diversity and a broad range of crops year-round.
Working with local NGOs, Suminter ensured consistent crop yields, safe farming practices, and a constant demand for produce.
Moreover, the company passed on the benefit of higher organic margins, paying farmers a 10–20% premium over conventional products.