Mumbai: ACC, in partnership with the Adani Foundation, is supporting farmers in and around Thondebhavi, Karnataka, to adopt sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving livelihood security and income stability.
The initiative focuses on helping farmers transition to alternative crop cultivation models that reduce production costs while providing more predictable market access.
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One of the beneficiaries is Harish, a farmer from Tapasmakanahalli village, who previously cultivated marigold on his one-acre farm. According to the company, marigold cultivation required an annual investment of nearly Rs. 1.5 lakh, while labour shortages, increasing input costs and fluctuating market demand made returns uncertain. His earnings were largely dependent on seasonal and festival demand, limiting long-term financial stability.
Seeking an alternative, Harish joined an Adani Foundation-supported programme promoting drumstick leaf cultivation. As part of the initiative, participating farmers received training on cultivation techniques, information on income potential and exposure to market opportunities. The programme is also intended to encourage wider adoption of drumstick cultivation, with plans to expand the model across more than 300 acres in the region.
Harish has since transitioned to drumstick leaf cultivation and currently grows approximately 7,000 plants on his farm. According to the company, the crop requires relatively low maintenance and is supported by an assured buyback arrangement with Nora Agro Tech, reducing market-related uncertainty for farmers.
The company estimates Harish’s annual production at approximately 2,240 kg, generating projected revenue of around Rs. 2.24 lakh. With estimated cultivation costs of about Rs. 26,000, the model is expected to deliver a projected net annual income of nearly Rs. 1.98 lakh. The drumstick plantation is also expected to remain productive for up to 15 years, providing a longer-term source of income.
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According to ACC and the Adani Foundation, the initiative is intended to strengthen rural livelihoods by promoting farming practices that improve resilience, lower cultivation costs and create more stable income opportunities. The programme also seeks to support broader adoption of sustainable agriculture in the region through capacity building and market linkage support.
