Coca-Cola’s Project Unnati touches the lives of over 4 lakh farmers

Coca-Cola has expanded its farm productivity programme “Project Unnati” touching the lives of over four lakh farmers across 12 States. The project, which took up mango initially in 2011, currently covers six more key crops.

Rajesh Ayapilla, Senior Director-PACS-Sustainability and CSR for India and South West Asia (INSWA) at The Coca-Cola Company, told businessline in an email interaction that Project Unnati now covers apple, orange, grapes, litchi, coffee, and sugarcane too.

Coca-Cola launched Project Unnati to address key challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as low yields and outdated farming practices. The initiative is aimed at enhancing farm productivity, promoting efficient resource use, and improving farmer incomes. 

Supporting growth

“Additionally, it focuses on encouraging farming practices that are resilient to changing environmental conditions, focusing on reducing carbon emissions while also optimising resource management. By integrating modern agricultural techniques, Project Unnati supports the overall growth and development of the farming sector,” said Ayyapilla. 

Since its inception in 2011, focusing on mango growers in Andhra Pradesh, the project has expanded and is now designed to address various aspects of farming, focusing on improving crop yield and promoting efficient practices, he said.

‘Unnati’, which means ‘progress’, symbolises the project’s core mission of advancing agricultural productivity, enhancing farmer livelihoods, and promoting sustainable farming practices. “The name reflects Coca-Cola’s commitment to driving economic growth and self-reliance among India’s smallholder farmers,” said the company official.

He said Coca-Cola India takes a holistic and collaborative approach to transforming agriculture. “This collaboration also ensures that farmers have access to the latest agricultural insights and resources, empowering them to make informed decisions. The results of this initiative are noticeable —many farmers have experienced significant improvements in their productivity, leading to greater financial stability and fostering opportunities for local communities,” said Ayyapilla. 

Aiding rural development

Project Unnati continues to contribute to rural development and the growth of a more resilient agricultural ecosystem.

On helping farmers in marketing and processing, the official said one of the core pillars of Project Unnati is ensuring that farmers have strong access to markets and adequate support throughout the post-harvest process.

“By creating direct connections between farms and markets, we aim to reduce reliance on intermediaries and enable farmers to receive fair prices for their produce. This not only improves market access but also enhances overall efficiency and price realisation for farmers,” he said. 

Through training and capacity-building initiatives, Coca-Cola ensures that farmers are equipped with the knowledge needed to meet quality standards and succeed in both domestic and global markets, he said. “These efforts are in line with our broader goal of helping build a resilient and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystem that supports India’s long-term growth and vision of Atmanirbhar Krishi,” said Ayyapilla.