NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a clear demonstration of its commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, Rallis India Limited, a prominent player in the agri-input sector, dedicated a substantial Rs 5.21 crore towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects during the financial year 2024-25. This investment reflects the company’s deep-rooted philosophy of serving the communities in which it operates, particularly in rural India, by enhancing socio-economic conditions and promoting environmental sustainability. Rallis views the community not merely as a stakeholder, but as the very purpose of its existence, aligning with the principles laid down by the Tata Group.
Overview: Rallis India CSR Spending – FY 2025
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Rallis India Limited |
| CSR Spending (FY 2024-25) | Rs 5.21 crore |
| Statutory Obligation | Rs 4.25 crore |
| Average Net Profit (3 years) | Rs 212.43 crore |
| Total Project Cost | Rs 24.35 crore (including leveraged contributions from govt. schemes, etc.) |
| States Covered | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana |
| Total Beneficiaries | Over 2.52 lakh |
| Goal by FY 2027-28 | Improve socio-economic conditions by 25% |
| Key Focus Areas | Water Conservation, Rural Development, Skilling, Education, Farmer Safety |
| Major Initiatives | Jal Dhan, Unnat Gram, Saksham Gram, RUBY (Education), TaRa (Skilling) |
| Water Harvested (Jal Dhan) | 4.76 million cubic meters (MCM) |
| Water Holding Capacity Created | 5.2 MCM, up to 15 months supply in some villages |
| Unnat Gram Villages Covered | 10 villages (Gujarat & Maharashtra) |
| Unnat Gram Impact | 4,400+ tribals benefited |
| Saksham Gram Villages Covered | 8 villages (Telangana) |
| Avg Monthly Income via Saksham | Rs 11,000 per family |
| Employee Volunteering (FY25) | 693 employees, 8,208 hours total |
| CSR Governance | Board-level CSR Committee (2 meetings in FY25) |
| Impact Assessment Agency | NuSocia |
| Awards & Recognition | Rotary Foundation Award, TAAP Jury Award |
| Future Goal (Beneficiaries) | Over 3 lakh people in coming years |
| Strategic Alignment | Tata Group’s Project Aalingana, ESG principles |
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Surpassing Statutory Obligation and Broad Impact
The total CSR expenditure of Rs 5.21 crore in FY 2024-25 exceeded the statutory obligation of Rs 4.25 crore, which is calculated as two per cent of the average net profit of Rs 212.43 crore as per the Companies Act, 2013. This highlights Rallis’s voluntary commitment beyond mandatory requirements. The total project cost for these initiatives amounted to Rs 24.35 crore, indicating significant leverage through contributions from government schemes and beneficiaries via Shramdaan. The company’s CSR efforts are strategically designed to improve the quality of life for communities, aspiring to enhance socio-economic conditions by 25% by FY 2027-28. These initiatives span across four states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Telangana, impacting a remarkable over 2.52 lakh beneficiaries in the current financial year.
Focussed Interventions: Natural Resource Management and Rural Development
Rallis concentrates its CSR activities in several key areas, including Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, Skill and Education Enhancement, and Farmer Safety. Under Natural Resource Management, a significant focus is placed on water conservation through the ‘Jal Dhan’ initiative. This programme directly addresses water scarcity in rural India, particularly in Maharashtra, by facilitating rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and soil conservation. Activities include building new structures like farm ponds and loose boulder check dams, and desilting existing water bodies. In FY 2024-25, the Jal Dhan project was active in 12 villages across Gujarat and Maharashtra, including the aspirational district of Dharashiv. It successfully harvested 4.76 million cubic meters (MCM) of water and created a holding capacity of 5.2 MCM, ensuring water access for up to 15 months in several villages. This initiative has been recognised for its innovative approach to water conservation.
Empowering Tribal Communities and Livelihoods
Rural Development is another critical pillar of Rallis’s CSR strategy, with dedicated projects like ‘Unnat Gram’ and ‘Saksham Gram’. The Unnat Gram project aims for the holistic development of tribal communities by focusing on livelihood resources, biodiversity enhancement, health, and education. In the reporting year, Unnat Gram covered 10 villages in Gujarat and Maharashtra, impacting over 4,400 tribals. The Saksham Gram project, implemented in 8 villages in Telangana, focuses on integrated efforts to improve villagers’ quality of life through education, skill development, and livelihood enhancement. These projects engage families in various entrepreneurial activities such as animal husbandry, operating general stores, transportation businesses, and mobile shops. As a result of the support received through Saksham Gram livelihood projects, engaged families were able to earn an average of Rs 11,000 per month.
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A compelling human story illustrating the impact of these initiatives is that of Parvatiben Shivrambhai Vasava, who, through the Unnat Gram intervention, received training, financial support, and business guidance to start a beauty parlor in her village. Overcoming financial and social challenges, she became successful, earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per month, and even expanded her business with a second branch and wedding orders. Her story exemplifies how Rallis’s initiatives empower local women and foster entrepreneurship, helping to break cycles of poverty.
Investing in Education and Skilling
Rallis also supports education and skilling initiatives under its CSR mandate. While specific financial details for these sub-categories within the Rs 5.21 crore total are not individually broken down in the provided sources beyond the overall project costs, the commitment is highlighted through mentions of education and skill development as key focus areas. Projects like RUBY (Educational initiative) and TaRa (Skilling initiative) directly address these areas, benefiting thousands, including a significant percentage from vulnerable and marginalized groups. The TaRa project, in particular, has been recognised for its contribution to community and economic development.
Stakeholder Engagement and Employee Involvement
A core aspect of Rallis’s approach to CSR and sustainability is continuous stakeholder engagement. By involving stakeholders like communities, employees, investors, and partners, Rallis identifies key material issues and integrates their concerns into decision-making. This engagement ensures that CSR programmes are relevant to local and national contexts. Employee volunteering is also a vital part of this commitment. In FY 2024-25, 693 employees contributed over 8,208 volunteering hours, averaging 5 hours per employee, demonstrating active participation in community welfare.
Governance, Oversight, and Recognition
Rallis’s CSR activities are governed by a dedicated Board-level Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee, operating under a formal CSR Policy. The committee’s terms of reference include formulating and recommending the CSR policy, recommending the amount to be spent, overseeing activities impacting stakeholders, and reviewing impact assessments. The CSR Committee held two meetings during FY 2024-25, with full attendance from its members. To ensure transparency and evaluate effectiveness, Rallis voluntarily undertakes impact assessment studies for its strategic CSR programmes through independent external agencies like NuSocia. The Secretarial Audit report confirms the company’s compliance with the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 related to CSR. The recognition received through awards, including the Rotary Foundation Award and the TAAP Jury Award, further validates the positive impact of Rallis’s initiatives.
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Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Rallis India aims to significantly scale up its impact, with aspirations to positively affect over 3,00,000 beneficiaries in the coming years. The company remains focused on its key intervention areas: water conservation, tribal development, rural women entrepreneurship, and educational initiatives. By integrating ESG principles into its core business strategy and aligning with the broader Tata Group’s sustainability aspirations like Project Aalingana, Rallis reinforces its dedication to long-term value creation for all stakeholders and contributing to a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector in India.
(India CSR)
