For Chenna Reddy, a farmer from Jangalapalli village in Andhra Pradesh, his small piece of land was both his livelihood and his pride. But the drought made it dry and useless. The once fertile fields, where he had spent countless hours tending to his crops, became a barren expanse. The land that had nourished him and his family for generations was now a desolate wasteland.
Forced to leave his beloved home, Chenna sought work far from his ancestral land. He spent the next thirty years taking up odd plumbing jobs in Bangalore, missing his home and land. The bustling city, with its towering buildings and constant noise, was a far cry from the peaceful countryside he had grown up in. Yet, he persevered, driven by the hope that one day he would return to his village and restore his land to its former glory.
Chenna Reddy Finds Hope in Ultra High-Density Planting through Project Unnati Mango
Despite the bustling city life, Chenna’s yearning to return to farming never faded. The harsh realities of drought and the lack of a reliable water source made it difficult for him to go back to his village. A glimmer of hope appeared when Chenna learned about Project Unnati Mango, an initiative by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, aimed at enhancing sustainable mango cultivation through modern practices.
After connecting with the local Field Crop Officer (FCO) in his village, he discovered Ultra High-Density Planting (UHDP), a method that promised to transform arid lands into fertile fields through efficient water management and innovative farming techniques. Intrigued and inspired, Chenna visited local UHDP fields. What he saw filled him with renewed hope: lush, thriving mango orchards where there had once been only dust and despair.
Reddy's Investment in Modern Farming Transforms Arid Land into a High-Yield Mango Orchard
Determined to reclaim his legacy, Chenna invested Rs 2 lakh in drilling a borewell. With support for drip irrigation and planting material, he planted 2 acres of mango. He even built a small house on his fields to closely monitor and nurture his crops. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Chenna and other mango farmers like him truly embody the spirit of Coca-Cola India’s Viksit Kisan campaign, which aims to uplift and empower farmers in India by focusing on their productivity and profitability.
The drip irrigation system saved precious water, ensuring that every drop was utilized effectively. The new technology also reduced the need for fertilizers and pesticides, making the farming process more sustainable and cost-effective. The fruits of Chenna’s labor were evident, with his mango orchard yielding an impressive 6 tons per acre. Moreover, with the UHDP method, mango farmers like Chenna also witnessed improvements in fruit quality, size, and shelf life.
What helped Chenna even more, in the long run, was the training he received from Project Unnati Mango on climate forecasting and crop alert systems. He now has knowledge of climate-smart techniques and the traceability and sustainability of his crop, which not only helped him achieve better yields but also plan his crop cycle more effectively. Best of all, he could now stay close to his family, sharing the joys and challenges of farming.
