Regular Update
ATM News Network: UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions Ltd. (UPL SAS) and Olam Agri have officially entered a collaborative partnership with their 'Shashwat Mithaas' initiative, focused on driving sustainable and consistent sugarcane production across India. This joint effort aims to uplift farmers within the catchment area of the Olam Sugar Mill (Channehatti-Rajgoli, Kolhapur, Maharashtra), with the goal of achieving a 15 percent increase in yield per acre and generating additional income.
In its inaugural year, the program will cover 2,000 acres, with future expansion plans encompassing a vast catchment area of 70,000 acres. The primary objective of the 'Shashwat Mithaas' initiative is to enhance crop yield and soil health while reducing water usage by 30 percent through efficient irrigation methods. The project also strives to decrease fertilizer consumption by 25 percent, all while optimizing sustainable farming practices.
Through this collaborative effort, farmers will have access to a comprehensive package of solutions and services. UPL's innovative climate-smart technology ZEBA, part of the ProNutiva package, will be employed, coupled with training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanization, and access to the nurture.farm platform, ensuring traceability throughout the process. The implementation of 25 model plots serves to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of these solutions.
Harshal Sonawane, Head of Sustainability at UPL SAS, expressed the company's commitment to fostering a greener and more prosperous future. He highlighted the tangible benefits this initiative brings to farmers, increasing productivity and profitability while also promoting environmental well-being. This partnership aims to tackle sugarcane shortage in the market while solidifying the sustainability of crop production in the long term.
Bharat Kundal, Business Head of Olam Agri, emphasized the significance of adopting sustainable farming practices to address challenges in sugarcane cultivation. He outlined their determination to create a lasting impact on farmers' lives and the broader agricultural ecosystem through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches.
With 'Shashwat Mithaas,' UPL SAS and Olam Agri are poised to reshape sugarcane production in India, demonstrating the potency of collaborative sustainability efforts in the agricultural sector.
