Launch of Unnati Mango Project, an Initiative of the Coca-Cola Foundation
The Unnati Mango Project is an innovative partnership between the Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP), The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture (CISH), and sustainability financing partners. The project aims to enhance productivity and increase water efficiency of mango farmers in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Coca-Cola has a strong presence in UP and is focused on building horticulture value chains through its Fruit Circular Economy Initiative, with a reach of more than 400,000 farmers across the country. TCCF has partnered with 2030 WRG under the ambit of PRAGATI (Program for Agricultural Transformation and Increased Incomes), an accelerator program in UP, to further efforts toward addressing water security issues in the region.
Key features of the project include:
- Training and capacity building of 10,000 farmers in Years 1 and 2 with a focus on scientific mango cultivation and adoption of improved horticultural practices;
- Promotion of tree management practices such as canopy management;
- Rejuvenation of old plantations with improved cultivation;
- Promotion of new plantations under Ultra High-Density model or High-Density model; and
- Digital Agriculture advisory support and exploration of carbon financing in plantation crops to improve productivity and incomes per hectare of farm.
The Unnati Mango Project holds great promise for the mango value chain in UP. Benefits of the project include increased farmer incomes, improved water management and use efficiency, employment generation, transfer of scientific cultivation technology, skill development, market expansion, and export development.
The Unnati Mango Project was launched virtually in October 2023 by Michael Goltzman (Vice President, Global Public Policy and Sustainability, Coca-Cola) and Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh IAS (Agricultural Production Commissioner, UP). The next phase of the project includes scaling up to other districts and exploring opportunities such as sustainable sugarcane practices with an ultimate objective of reaching out to 50,000 mango farmers over a period of 3 years.
About The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF)
TCCF’s contributions are focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting hometown communities. Since its inception in 1984, TCCF has awarded grants of over $1.5 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the world.