Bridgestone India, in collaboration with the Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability (Sagest), has introduced the Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad village, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh. The initiative aims to support rural women through sustainable agriculture, promote environmental practices, and contribute to nutritional well-being.
The orchard, spread across four acres, features over 1,300 fruit-bearing trees of more than 15 different varieties. Planted with the help of local community members and Bridgestone volunteers, the trees have achieved a 96% survival rate in the project’s first year. Women managing the orchard are also maintaining a nursery of 1,000 saplings and producing compost and organic pesticides using garden waste, contributing to environmentally responsible farming methods.
In addition to the orchard, the initiative includes the development of 251 household kitchen gardens. These gardens provide local families with access to home-grown vegetables, helping to improve nutrition and food security. Training and awareness programs have been conducted regularly to build knowledge and promote environmental responsibility among residents.
Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, noted that the project represents a broader approach to combining community-based development with environmental care.
The project is supported by various stakeholders. The land for the orchard was provided by the local panchayat, and apart from the women maintaining it, teachers and students from a nearby government school are also contributing to its upkeep.