Coromandel International and IICARE Foundation Sign MoU for Watershed and Landscape Restoration Project in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Coromandel International Limited and IICARE Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Jawali Integrated Watershed, Agro-Forestry, Nursery and Landscape Restoration Programme in Phaltan taluka of Satara district, Maharashtra.
The collaboration aims to develop a community-driven and scientifically designed model for sustainable landscape management by integrating watershed development, agro-forestry, nursery development and ecological restoration.
Under the agreement, IICARE Foundation will serve as the primary implementation and coordination partner. The organisation will work with local communities, farmer groups, government institutions, technical agencies and other stakeholders. Coromandel International will provide technical and strategic support in agronomy, soil and nutrient management, crop suitability, nursery planning, agro-forestry design and watershed-based interventions.
The programme will be implemented in phases. The initial phase will include 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 focus on 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.
According to the organisations, the initiative will follow a “nursery-first” and “pilot-to-scale” approach, with emphasis on native and mixed-species plantations, groundwater recharge, soil health improvement, scientific monitoring and long-term community participation.
The programme’s progress will be measured using key performance indicators such as the area restored, sapling survival rates, species diversity, water conservation outcomes, soil health parameters and farmer participation.
Commenting on the collaboration, Narayanan Vellayan, Executive Director – Nutrient Business at Coromandel International Limited, said the initiative is intended to support sustainable agriculture and strengthen rural ecosystem resilience through scientific agronomy, soil and water management, and community participation.
Dr. Santosh Bhosale, Director of IICARE Foundation, said the programme integrates ecological restoration, watershed management and climate-resilient agriculture within a single landscape framework and is intended to serve as a model that can be replicated in similar regions.
