~Collaboration to focus on watershed development, native afforestation, agro-forestry, soil and water conservation, nursery development and community engagement in the Jawali region~
Coromandel International Limited, one of India's leading agri-solutions companies, and IICARE Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation working in the areas of ecological restoration, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and community development, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the Jawali Integrated Watershed, Agro-Forestry, Nursery and Landscape Restoration Programme in Phaltan taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra.
The collaboration aims to develop a scientifically designed, community-driven and scalable model for sustainable landscape management by integrating watershed development, agro-forestry, nursery development and ecological restoration within a unified landscape framework.
Under the MoU, IICARE Foundation will serve as the primary implementation and coordination partner, working closely with local communities, farmer groups, government institutions, technical agencies and other stakeholders. Coromandel will provide technical and strategic expertise in areas including agronomy, soil and nutrient management, crop suitability, nursery planning, agro-forestry design and watershed-based interventions.
The programme is proposed to be implemented in a phased manner. The initial phase will focus on site validation, soil and water assessments, contour and land capability studies, nursery planning, species selection and preparation of a detailed project report. Subsequent phases will include pilot implementation, establishment of nurseries, construction of soil and water conservation structures, native plantations, agro-forestry demonstrations, farmer capacity building and the development of a scalable landscape restoration model.
The initiative will adopt a “nursery-first” and “pilot-to-scale” approach, with a strong emphasis on native and mixed-species plantations, scientific monitoring, groundwater recharge, soil health improvement and long-term community stewardship. Progress will be assessed through key performance indicators, including the area restored, sapling survival rates, species diversity, water conservation outcomes, soil health parameters and farmer participation.
Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Narayanan Vellayan, Executive Director – Nutrient Business, Coromandel International Limited, said: “This collaboration reflects Coromandel’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening the resilience of rural ecosystems. By combining scientific agronomy, soil and water management and community participation, the programme aims to develop a practical and scalable model for restoring degraded landscapes and supporting sustainable livelihoods.”
Dr. Santosh Bhosale, Director, IICARE Foundation, said: “The Jawali programme brings together ecological restoration, watershed management and climate-resilient agriculture within an integrated landscape framework. Coromandel’s technical capabilities and agricultural expertise will strengthen the programme’s scientific foundation and support the development of a credible model that can be replicated across similar geographies.”