Mumbai, September 04, 2023: Established by Indian FMCG major Marico Limited, Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation (PKF) completed six years on World Coconut Day. PKF focuses on three core principles: enhancing crop yield, empowering farmers for self-sufficiency, and promoting scientific and research-based agricultural practices. Since its inception in 2017, PKF has assisted over 81,000 Indian farmers, improving their awareness of disease control, pest management, water conservation, and nutrition optimization in coconut cultivation. Enrolled farmers observed a 16% increase in productivity in FY23, leading to higher income through resource optimization.
PKF recognized the financial constraints faced by many farmers in acquiring modern farm equipment and machinery. To address this issue, PKF introduced four Agri-Business Centers (ABCs), where farmers can rent high-quality farm machinery, access technical assistance, and hire labor. These centers, managed by local entrepreneurs, offer services like brush cutters, power tillers, and input sales at affordable rates. In FY23, ABCs benefited over 1600 farmers, significantly boosting their productivity and income, thereby contributing to the capabilities of farmers nationwide.
The program aims to enroll over 100,000 farmers and cover more than 400,000 acres of farmland by FY25, with a target of generating an incremental farm income of INR 1000 crore by FY26.
Speaking about the success of Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation, Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer & Group General Counsel and Secretary of the CSR Committee, Marico Limited said, “One of our primary agenda to launch Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation was to help the farmers improve their yields, thereby enhancing their income and bettering their livelihood. The 16% increment in productivity witnessed by our farmers is a testament of our commitment and progress. As we march ahead in our journey to equip farmers to have increased sustainable crop yield, we aim to generate INR 1000 crore incremental farm income by FY26.”
He added, “Launch of Agri-Business centre is yet another step in the journey to making positive impact in the lives of the farmers. Looking at the success of this initiative and prospective larger reach to the farmers, more such centers are planned to be set up. Thus, we are looking not only to strengthen the farmers, by providing them with farm resources locally but also to motivate the local entrepreneurs to start up their new businesses in the local economy.”
The program is centred on making farmers self-reliant, with a strong focus on training in modern and sustainable farming techniques and tools. PKF brings agri-experts, including agronomists, retired professors, and farm managers, to villages to conduct in-person training sessions and workshops. To provide swift support to farmers, PKF established the Kalpavriksha application and call center services, reducing their reliance on program field staff. Through these services, the program offers prompt query resolution and spreads awareness of sustainable agricultural practices to coconut farmers situated beyond the geographic reach of the Kalpavriksha program.
