Rich pickings: Coca-Cola India promotes sustainable mango cultivation in alignment with government initiative
Coca-Cola India aims to revolutionise sustainable mango cultivation by focusing on the Alphonso and Totapuri varieties in Karnataka. This will be done via Project Mango Unnati in collaboration with Gram Unnati, an agri value chain enterprise that supports 200,000 farmers across seven different states.
“Farmers are the backbone of India’s horticulture system. With Project Mango Unnati, we aim to elevate the livelihoods of these farmers with advanced horticulture solutions, empowering them to significantly increase their incomes,” said Rajesh Ayapilla, Senior Director- CSR and Sustainability for Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia.
“This aligns with the Government of India’s vision for Atma Nirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India], making the agrarian economy self-reliant.”
Project Mango Unnati will promote ‘Sustainable Agricultural Practices’ to enhance mango yields and farmer incomes by improving the quality, size, and shelf life of the fruit. This would help farmers achieve better market prices.
Alphonso mangoes, known for their rich sweetness and non-fibrous flesh, are often considered the finest mango variety. Their unique aroma and intense flavour make them ideal for fresh consumption in gourmet sauces and desserts like ice creams and smoothies.
Totapuri mangoes are firm and tangy-sweet, and are often used in beverages, jams and savoury dishes. They can even be used in salads. This variety is versatile and good for processing into pulp, concentrates, and purees, making them essential in beverages, jams, and savoury dishes. Their robust flesh can withstand various processing techniques without losing flavour.
Project Mango Unnati will demonstrate and facilitate the adoption of rejuvenation techniques for old and senile orchards, such as via pruning and fertilising, to revitalise trees. It will also employ high-density plantation (HDP) practices, which involve planting more trees per acre than traditional methods. This can lead to higher yields and more efficient use of land, water, and resources.
Together, these methods help farmers to increase their crop production, improve the quality of their produce, and ensure sustainable farming practices in the future.
The project will also emphasise on sustainable agriculture through micro irrigation, integrated pest management, and water conservation techniques such as mulching and rainwater harvesting. Through this initiative, farmers will receive training in safe and modern agricultural practices to ensure sustainable farming.
Other initiatives will include providing crop advisory services such as climate forecasting and crop alert systems. This will equip farmers with climate-smart techniques besides enhancing the traceability and sustainability of the crop that will help farmers achieve better returns for their produce.
Special training modules have also been designed to empower female farmers, promoting gender equality in the agricultural sector.
Coca-Cola and Gram Unnati will collaborate closely with state horticulture agencies such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), the Mango Board, the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), and various horticulture departments across different districts.
Gram Unnati was founded in 2013 and helps marginal farmers by offering aid such as advisory services and end-to-end quality control. Operating through 30 district centres, it helps agro processors source quality produce directly from farmers.
