Chennai, November 29, 2025: Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Hinduja Group, has launched ‘Silt for Sustainable Farmland Enrichment’, a farmland restoration initiative in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district under its Jal Jeevan programme. Implemented by PRADAN with Ashok Leyland as the CSR partner, the project has restored around 55 hectares of farmland—equivalent to more than 75 football fields—benefiting over 60 small and marginal farmers across Shoolagiri, Hosur and Denkanikottai taluks.
Krishnagiri, known for its tanks and horticultural landscape, continues to face water scarcity and declining soil fertility, creating challenges for smallholder farmers. The initiative aims to address these issues by desilting tank beds and enriching farmlands with nutrient-rich silt, thereby improving soil health, reducing cultivation costs and supporting sustainable agriculture. The model is positioned as replicable across other regions, integrating community participation and environmental stewardship.
“At Hinduja Foundation, our focus is on creating sustainable solutions that empower communities for the future. This initiative reflects our belief that innovation in rural development can go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. We see this as the beginning of a model that can be scaled across regions to help more farmers thrive,” said Mr. Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO, Hinduja Foundation.
The project also includes rehabilitation of tanks and channel networks, formation of Tank Protection Committees and community-led efforts to improve groundwater levels and water storage. As part of the broader impact, more than 730 farmers across 10 villages are expected to benefit from restored soil fertility and improved water availability.
Focused primarily on farmers cultivating ragi and vegetables, the initiative seeks to build climate resilience and promote sustainable, low-input agriculture, creating a potential blueprint for similar rural regeneration projects across India.
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