Uttarakhand, September 13 2025: Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies (IDHT), marked seven years of Project Unnati Apple with the Progressive Farmers’ Award Ceremony held at its horticulture facility in Bhimtal. The event recognized 50 progressive farmers, including women, for adopting high-density apple farming techniques.
Launched in 2018, Project Unnati Apple was initiated to address low productivity and high input costs in traditional apple farming. By introducing ultra-high-density plantation methods and improved orchard management, the initiative has supported farmers in enhancing yields, reducing risks, and achieving more stable livelihoods.
The impact of the project is reflected in the experiences of participating farmers. Poonam Gaur from Sunali village in Purola shared, “Being a part of Apple Unnati has been life changing for me. From being hopeless and depressed, today I feel proud that I can provide a secure livelihood for my family. With better yields, I now earn around ₹25,000–30,000 each month, and I also encourage other women farmers in nearby villages to adopt these practices.”
In Uchura village, 22-year-old Shaswat Bisht, who once pursued a professional football career, has combined farming with his passion for sports. “Unnati apple has been a game-changer in my vision of settling back in my village. Today, I am able to continue pursuing football while also building a stable livelihood through farming,” he said.
Highlighting the program’s success, Sudhir Chadha, Director, Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies, said, “Project Unnati Apple has transformed apple farming in Uttarakhand, making farmers more self-reliant through scientific practices and modern techniques. This successful collaboration with Coca-Cola India Foundation has enhanced apple yields and reaffirmed our shared commitment to sustainable development and farmer prosperity.”
Since its inception in 2011, Project Unnati has empowered nearly four lakh fruit farmers across 13 states and Union Territories, covering crops such as mango, apple, orange, grapes, litchi, coffee, and sugarcane, while contributing to a stronger and more resilient horticulture supply chain in India.
