Author: Aadarsh Patel | EQMint
What’s the deal? Allcargo Group, through its CSR arm Avashya Foundation, is scaling up Project Maitree in FY27 with a target of 3 lakh saplings across 81 villages in Maharashtra. The programme aims to create livelihood opportunities for around 5,000 farmers and their families while expanding green cover across rural and tribal communities.
Why now? The programme connects environmental restoration with rural income generation. Instead of treating plantation as a standalone activity, Project Maitree supports farmers in integrating fruit-bearing, timber and multipurpose trees into their existing agricultural practices, with the aim of creating productive assets over time.
What it means. The FY27 programme covers Palghar, Raigad, Nashik and Amravati. Around 2.2 lakh plants have been distributed across Palghar and Nashik for about 4,400 farmers, while 30,000 plants have been distributed across Raigad and Karjat for around 600 farmers. Another 50,000 plants are being planted through a community-based model in Amravati.
By the numbers. The plantation mix includes mango, cashew, teak, lemon, guava, custard apple, jackfruit and bamboo. The latest 3 lakh plantation target builds on Project Maitree’s wider work, which Allcargo says has already facilitated the plantation of more than 1.6 million trees across Maharashtra.
What’s next? The programme is being implemented with Digant Swaraj Foundation, Light of Life Trust and Khoj Foundation, supporting community mobilisation, plantation planning, sapling distribution, training and field monitoring. As the trees mature, the programme aims to provide additional income opportunities closer to participating communities and reduce dependence on seasonal migration.
EQMint Take on Allcargo Maitree Project
Project Maitree shows how a plantation programme can connect environmental restoration with livelihood creation. The real measure of its long-term impact will come from tree survival, farmer income, productive output and the strength of local community participation over the years.
Allcargo has previously described Maitree as a programme designed to improve green cover while helping farmers earn from fruit-bearing trees. Its earlier work included mango, guava, cashew, lemon, teak and bamboo, along with farmer training and support around sustainable agricultural practices.
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