Mumbai, June 30, 2026: Coromandel International Limited, one of India's leading agri-solutions companies, and IICARE Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation focused on ecological restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the Jawali Integrated Watershed, Agro-Forestry, Nursery and Landscape Restoration Programme in Phaltan taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra.
The collaboration aims to build a scientifically designed, community-driven and scalable model for sustainable landscape management by combining watershed development, agro-forestry, nursery development, and ecological restoration within a single, unified framework.
Under the MoU, IICARE Foundation will act as the primary implementation and coordination partner, working closely with local communities, farmer groups, government institutions, and technical agencies. Coromandel will contribute technical and strategic expertise across areas such as agronomy, soil and nutrient management, crop suitability, nursery planning, agro-forestry design, and watershed-based interventions.
The programme will be rolled out in phases. The initial phase will focus on site validation, soil and water assessments, contour and land capability studies, nursery planning, species selection, and preparation of a detailed project report. Later phases will cover pilot implementation, nursery establishment, construction of soil and water conservation structures, native plantations, agro-forestry demonstrations, farmer capacity building, and development of a scalable restoration model.
The initiative follows a "nursery-first" and "pilot-to-scale" approach, with emphasis on native and mixed-species plantations, scientific monitoring, groundwater recharge, and soil health improvement. Progress will be tracked through indicators such as area restored, sapling survival rates, species diversity, water conservation outcomes, soil health parameters, and farmer participation.
Mr. Narayanan Vellayan, Executive Director – Nutrient Business, Coromandel International Limited, said: "This collaboration reflects Coromandel's commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening the resilience of rural ecosystems. By combining scientific agronomy, soil and water management and community participation, the programme aims to develop a practical and scalable model for restoring degraded landscapes and supporting sustainable livelihoods."
Dr. Santosh Bhosale, Director, IICARE Foundation, said: "The Jawali programme brings together ecological restoration, watershed management and climate-resilient agriculture within an integrated landscape framework. Coromandel's technical capabilities and agricultural expertise will strengthen the programme's scientific foundation and support the development of a credible model that can be replicated across similar geographies."
The programme reflects a broader trend of corporate-NGO partnerships aimed at addressing land degradation and rural resilience through integrated, science-based approaches in Maharashtra and similar geographies.
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