MUMBAI: Four years ago, Allcargo Logistics set out on a project to nurture the environment and provide income to the farmers by planting fruit bearing trees in the tribal regions of Maharashtra. Close to 5 lakh trees have been planted since then, benefiting over 10000 farmers. The results of this noble cause were visible on 17 May when Avashya Foundation, the CSR arm of Allcargo hosted Mango Festival in Allcargo’s office in Mumbai.

 

Farmers from the Mokhada region near Nashik in Maharashtra set up shop in Avvashya House to sell Kesar mangoes, bred from the trees planted under Maitree. Employees flocked in to buy the delicious mangoes and an entire stock of 250 dozens was over well within the span of an hour. The team from Mokhada also sold cashews, kokum, and mango pulp, all grown under the aegis of the Maitree programme, at the stall.Maitree is a unique project that meets the goals of environment sustainability as well as community empowerment through tree plantation.

 

Seeds of care and toil have provided these farmers with the fruits of empowerment and confidence. Avashya Foundation works with Diganta Swaraj Foundation to identify beneficiaries and implement the programme in the Mokhada and Jawahar regions of Maharashtra. Their team also provides guidance on good agricultural practices by bringing in agricultural experts. 

 

Maitree has been enlisted with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) that provides 100 man days of guaranteed paid work to the farmers as tending trees is considered a productive economic activity. Allcargo Logistics has been touching the lives of thousands of communities through Avashya Foundation by undertaking focused projects in the areas of environment, health, education, disaster relief, women empowerment and sports.