CybageAsha Paddy Cup Concludes in Pune, Promoting Sustainable Farming and Community Participation

Pune, January 28, 2026: Cybage Foundation has concluded the CybageAsha Paddy Cup across the Bhor and Velhe (Rajgad) talukas of Pune district, bringing together thousands of farmers and their families to promote sustainable agriculture, collective learning, and community participation.

The conclusion of the season-long initiative was marked by the CybageAsha Farmers’ Cricket Tournament, which drew strong participation from local communities. This year, the tournament saw 35 men’s teams and 40 women’s teams competing, reflecting wide grassroots engagement and growing inclusivity within rural sporting and social spaces.

Women farmers associated with the Cybage Sampada Project played a visible role in the tournament, highlighting efforts to strengthen women’s participation and leadership within farming communities. Their involvement underscored the project’s focus on confidence-building and recognition for women in rural Maharashtra.

Ritu Nathani, Head of Cybage Foundation, said “For me, the CybageAsha Paddy Cup, along with the Farmers’ Cricket Tournament, is a powerful reminder of the purpose that drives us at the Cybage Foundation every day. It is not about scores or trophies; it’s about creating opportunities for people to thrive. When communities come together to learn, play, and celebrate, a simple initiative becomes a catalyst for long-term growth and change.”

Beyond the concluding events, the CybageAsha Paddy Cup represents a structured agricultural programme conducted annually from May to December. Farmers participate in teams of ten, encouraging peer learning, shared accountability, and collective problem-solving. The approach is designed to strengthen both farming outcomes and community relationships.

Throughout the season, participating farmers receive guidance from the CybageAsha Agricultural Expert Team, focusing on cost-effective and sustainable paddy cultivation practices. Key objectives include reducing input and labour costs, improving yields, increasing farm income, and promoting organic and resource-efficient methods. Collective procurement of agricultural inputs further supports cost reduction and cooperation.

Each group follows 21 defined cultivation steps, with progress tracked through dedicated WhatsApp groups. This system enables timely advice, monitoring, and knowledge sharing, combining traditional practices with modern agricultural insights.

The 2025–26 edition of the CybageAsha Paddy Cup recorded participation from over 4,500 farmers and their families. A transparent scoring framework, with a maximum of 500 marks per group, is used to assess performance, with top-performing teams receiving financial recognition.

Launched in 2023, the CybageAsha Paddy Cup continues to serve as a platform for encouraging disciplined farming practices while strengthening social cohesion and collective progress in rural Maharashtra.