Farmers from various parts of country were felicitated in the presence of Coca-Cola India leadership, bottling partners, implementation partner CENDECT and mango supplier Foods & Inns Ltd.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, "India has achieved self-reliance in food production, and our next priority is to create greater value through food processing by strengthening infrastructure and expanding market opportunities for our farmers. Our farmers are our ‘annadatas’, and every effort to strengthen the agricultural value chain is an investment in their future. It is encouraging to see homegrown beverage brands like Maaza celebrate this legacy of India’s beloved mangoes ‘aam’ by bringing its authentic taste to millions of households while supporting farmers and contributing to local economies. The release of the Special Cover by the Department of Posts is a tribute to India's mango heritage and the farmers who sustain it."
Devyani Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said “Behind every bottle of Maaza - one of India’s most loved fruit-based drinks is the dedication and expertise of India’s mango farming communities. Through Anandana’s Project Unnati, we have been working alongside farmers and our implementation partners to strengthen productivity, improve fruit quality, and promote more resilient farming practices. As Maaza celebrates 50 years, it is equally a celebration of the farmers whose commitment has helped shape India’s mango heritage. We remain committed to supporting their journey through sustainable agriculture and long-term partnerships.”
According to P. Patchaimal, Founder and Chairman, Centre for Development and Communication Trust (CENDECT), "Celebrating Maaza's 50-year journey is a celebration of the farmers behind it. Project Unnati has demonstrated the value of combining scientific knowledge with sustained on-ground support. We look forward to continuing this work to enable more farmers to strengthen their orchards and build resilient livelihoods.”
The beneficiary farmers associated with Project Unnati shared how scientific cultivation practices have transformed their orchard management ability and productivity. R. Rajendran, a mango farmer from Theni, Tamil Nadu and Project Unnati beneficiary, said, “Project Unnati has given us the knowledge and confidence to adopt better farming practices. Today, we are seeing improved productivity and better-quality mangoes, helping us build a brighter future for our families.”
According to Milan Dalal, MD, Foods & Inns Ltd., “Building a resilient mango value chain begins with strong partnerships at the farm level. Initiatives like Project Unnati are helping farmers adopt scientific cultivation practices that improve fruit quality, productivity and consistency creating long-term value for farming communities while strengthening India’s fruit processing ecosystem. As a long-standing sourcing partner, we believe such collaborative efforts are essential to supporting sustainable growth across the value chain.”
Project Unnati is Anandana's flagship agriculture initiative that works with the fruit-growing communities to improve agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. The programme supports fruit-growing communities by helping farmers grow more and better-quality mangoes through modern cultivation practices including Ultra High-Density Plantation (UHDP), Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), drip irrigation and scientific orchard management. These modern mango farming practices help improve orchard management, increase productivity and strengthen India's fruit processing value chain. The program's mango initiative has helped farmers nearly double per-acre yields while significantly reducing the time between planting and commercial production, strengthening India's mango value chain and supporting the country's food processing ecosystem.
The felicitation of mango farmers paid tribute not only to Maaza's 50-year legacy, but also to the farming communities whose dedication continues to strengthen India's mango farming sector, food processing ecosystem and India's position as the world's largest producer of mangoes.
About Anandana - The Coca-Cola India Foundation
The Coca-Cola India Foundation, a Company registered under Section 25 of the Companies' Act is committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth by focusing on areas that aim to create a better and healthy society, and a strong and resolute India by enabling the common man to better his or her life. In order to promote the Foundation's objectives, monetary grants and other assistance is provided to NGOs, beneficiary organizations, cooperatives, philanthropies and such others who can be suitable partners in implementing projects for social welfare across the country.
