In the picturesque village of Sunderkhal, Basanti’s orchard glows red with promise. What began as a few saplings planted with determination has now grown into a thriving apple farm, a symbol of resilience, learning, and self-belief.
Just a few years ago, Basanti cultivated cabbage and wheat on her small plot of land, often losing crops to wild animals and earning little in return. “It just wasn’t working,” she recalls. “So, I decided to try something new.”
That “something new” was high-density apple farming introduced through Project Unnati Apple. Through this initiative, Basanti learned modern orchard techniques, from planting to irrigation and pest management, that helped her grow more in less time.
“These trees are smaller, but their yield is much higher,” she smiles. “When we planted them, people from the village came to see. Some thought it wouldn’t work here, but I believed in it.”
With a small investment and a lot of hard work, Basanti transformed her land. Within a year, her orchard produced seven boxes of apples, and by the second year, that number rose to fifty. Her apples now attract not just buyers but visitors. “I run a small homestay where guests can pluck apples themselves. If they pick them, it’s Rs 210 a kilo. If I pick them, it’s Rs 200!” she says with a laugh.
Basanti’s success has become a model for her village. Several women have since started planting their own high-density apple orchards, often seeking her guidance. “People come and ask where to get the plants, how to grow them. It feels good to share what I’ve learned,” she says.
For Basanti, farming is more than a livelihood, it’s pride and peace. “Even when I’m away, I want to come back and walk through my orchard,” she says. “It feels good to be among the trees.”
Her message this Mahila Kisan Diwas is simple yet powerful, “I tell all women who live away from their villages to come back and start farming. It feels good to create something of your own.”
Basanti’s journey mirrors the purpose of Project Unnati Apple, which has helped hundreds of farmers in Uttarakhand adopt climate-resilient, high-yield apple cultivation. Through this initiative, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation continues to empower farming communities with new skills, improved productivity, and lasting confidence, showing that when women grow, communities flourish.
In Uttarakhand, Project Unnati Apple supports farmers in adopting high-density apple farming, a technique that increases yield per acre while reducing water usage and crop vulnerability. The project has trained and supported hundreds of apple growers across the region, helping them transition to a more profitable and climate-resilient form of agriculture.
Project Unnati Apple is part of the broader Project Unnati initiative, which helps farmers across India enhance fruit productivity, income, and sustainability through advanced horticulture techniques, focusing on improving agricultural practices, optimizing resources, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
