Articles Sustainability

Creating carbon sinks, supporting farmers with mahogany plantation

India

The project covers 15,000 hectares and benefits 25,000 families and is spread across 65 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Telangana.

Dhawal Marghade

AVP, Climate Change and Sustainability @ MITCON Consultancy and Engineering Services

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Posted 21/10/2024

Socioeconomic challenge

The "Mahogany Plantation in India" project addresses two pressing issues: sustainable income for small-scale farmers and the need to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. India faces challenges related to soil erosion, climate change, and unreliable incomes for farmers reliant on traditional farming methods. By planting mahogany trees on small land parcels across five Indian states, the project provides a long-term, sustainable income source for farmers while contributing to carbon sequestration.

Purpose and strategy

MITCON Consultancy & Engineering Services launched the Mahogany Plantation project to create sustainable livelihoods for farmers and tackle climate change through agroforestry. The project is spread across 65 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Telangana, with a goal to cover 15,000 hectares and benefit 25,000 families.

The company works closely with stakeholders, including farmers, local communities and industrial partners, to create a sustainable agroforestry system. Mahogany trees not only provide a long-term income stream for farmers but also contribute to climate action by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. MITCON’s role is to ensure proper implementation through consultations, contracts with farmers and ongoing monitoring, providing farmers with expertise and guidance for successful plantation management.

Impact and innovation

The plantation offers significant environmental and societal benefits.

Environmentally, mahogany trees act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering approximately 10,969 tons of CO2 during the initial project period.

Additionally, the large-scale plantations foster biodiversity by creating new habitats for wildlife and protecting soil from erosion with their deep root systems.

On the societal side, the project empowers local communities by creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers. A total of 1,129 farmers are currently involved in the project, including 181 female farmers. Agroforestry practices allow farmers to diversify their income streams by integrating tree cultivation with existing agricultural activities. This provides multiple income sources, including timber, skyfruit and carbon credits from the growing trees.

MITCON’s innovative approach involves a five-step project management system: raising awareness among stakeholders, assessing farmers, signing contracts, planting seedlings and monitoring tree growth. By offering new income opportunities and fostering environmental sustainability, MITCON connects businesses with rural communities to create a long-lasting impact.

Future outlook

In the short term, MITCON aims to scale the project to cover 15,000 hectares and benefit 25,000 families. By expanding across multiple states, the project seeks to increase the carbon sequestration potential and further empower local communities through job creation in planting and managing the plantations.

In the long term, the company aims to foster biodiversity and environmental sustainability, with mature mahogany plantations sequestering even more CO2 and supporting diverse ecosystems. Through its commitment to integrating agroforestry with existing farming practices, MITCON ensures sustainable land management and economic empowerment for local farmers. The plantation is a model for combining environmental action with social impact, laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future.

MITCON Consultancy & Engineering Services Ltd., founded in 1982, is a leading Indian consulting firm specialising in environment management, renewable energy, and decarbonisation. Headquartered in Pune, the ISO 9001:2015 certified company delivers sustainable solutions for businesses and communities, focusing on projects like agroforestry and carbon reduction. Committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, MITCON fosters innovation and collaboration to drive positive environmental and social impact.

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