PUNE: Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF), CSR partner for Finolex Industries Ltd (FIL), in association with Madha Welfare Foundation has extended infrastructural support for the Central Agriculture Testing laboratory.
Aimed at addressing the rising food security concerns of the farmers the laboratory arms them with devices to conduct soil fertility and water quality tests for improved yields.
This laboratory was inaugurated on 7th September in Solapur by Arun Lad Member of Legislative assembly, Maharashtra, Babanrao Shinde Member of Legislative assembly Madha, and Shri Sanjay mama Shinde Member of Legislative assembly, Karmala.
Pradeep Vedula President Sales and Marketing Finolex Industries and Dr. Rajiv Marathe Director, National Research Centre on Pomegranate Solapur and Babalu Mokale, CSR Executive, representing Mukul Madhav Foundation were also present at the occasion.
Designed to fulfill accommodation needs, enhance access to relevant information and improved practices, the laboratory facilitates effective models for various farming techniques. Post completion it will be an integrated project on a cooperative basis in Western Maharashtra that benefits farmers from Solapur district in addition to supporting Pune, Osmanabad, Satara, Sangali and Ahmednagar districts.
Supporting 25% of the agricultural sector in Maharashtra and major farming districts, the central agriculture testing laboratory is built with a capacity to test more than 3000 samples per year. To fortify farmers even further, its 20-acre campus includes a processing unit, Hi-tech nursery, Akuntha Store – Agri Input store, Amphitheater, Well-equipped soil, water and tissue testing laboratory, and Farmer’s Hostel and Demonstration plots amongst others.
MMF through its partnership with Madha Welfare Foundation will ensure the promotion of advanced farming and help attain healthy soil. It will also promote livelihood generation for the youth in this region.
Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation and Board Member Finolex Industries said, “MMF is committed to collaborate and leverage technological advances for social impact through sustainable solutions. Using an integrated approach with this high-end technology and meticulous processes, we are helping farmers create sustainable and future-ready agricultural businesses, thereby enhancing rural development and livelihoods in Western Maharashtra.” She further added, “It is wonderful that young and energetic individuals demonstrate a passion to serve society and have come forward to bring together this project. Finolex Industries has traditionally supported farmers’ needs over the last 40 years, and it continues to play an instrumental role to support Madha Welfare Foundation and the farmers with an initial set up to begin the Central Agriculture Testing Laboratory.”
MMF is engaged in the upliftment of the rural areas through various initiatives for the last 20 years. Enabling the underserved to improve their quality of life by providing good education and accessible facilities, the program in association with Madha Welfare Foundation will focus on improving the livelihoods and provide educational assistance to farmers and their families familiarize.
Dhanraj Shinde, Founder Madha Welfare Foundation stated – “We are extremely pleased to partner with MMF and FIL to address the urgent agriculture needs in our farming communities and to implement innovative solutions in the region. This project will accelerate the development in agriculture and allied industries and will promote innovation in the sector. This initiative will greatly encourage farmers to use science to make informed decisions on their production process.” Dhanraj Shinde also added that Madha has been working with MMF since 2018 on various projects related to water conservation and education support to girl children.
The programs, on completion, will benefit over 5000 marginalized farmers from rural and remote areas and farming communities, thereby helping farmers produce about 20 metric tons of additional crop.
Over the last 4 years FIL has had an incremental positive impact in Solapur, Sangli, Pune, Satara and Ratnagiri by creating CNB (Cement Nala Bands), desilting and creating new reservoirs and equipping rainwater harvesting in schools and institutions; focusing solely on the underlying needs of the farming communities.
