Uttarakhand farmer sees income boost under Project Unnati Apple

Surendar Singh Rawat with his daughter Jiya Rawat at his apple orchard.

The high-density apple farming under the Project Unnati Apple has helped a farmer from Chatra village of Uttarakhand to improve his income.

This development highlights the role of modern agricultural practices in improving farmers’ livelihoods as the country celebrates National Kisan Day on December 23.

Project Unnati is an initiative supported by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies.

Farmer’s journey

A media statement said that Surendar Singh Rawat from the hill village of Chatra in Uttarakhand, who runs a small grocery shop in nearby Hanol, tends to an apple orchard that has quietly transformed his family’s future.

He learned about Project Unnati Apple in 2021, and the programme introduced him to high-density apple farming, a method that enables fruiting in the first year.

“When I was told that the plants would start giving fruit in the very first year, I felt confident enough to take the leap. There was so much fruit that we even had to do thinning,” Rawat said.

After discussing the opportunity with his family, especially with his daughter Jiya, he decided to establish his first high-density orchard under Project Unnati Apple.

“My father has always loved farming, but he never had access to proper technical guidance. Through Unnati Apple, he received training, regular support, and clarity on how to farm sustainably,” Jiya said.

Sustainable farming

The family adopted chemical-free and sustainable farming practices, supported by hands-on training and continuous handholding. Over time, the orchard began to reflect those efforts with healthy plants, uniform growth, and strong yields, the statement said.

Quoting Rawat, the statement said this year Rawat expects to earn between ₹2.5 and ₹3 lakh from the orchard. Stating that Unnati Apple helped him move from simply growing crops to thinking like an agripreneur, he said he plans to plant another orchard next year.

Farmers from nearby villages frequently visit his orchard to understand high-density planting and sustainable practices.

The statement said that his journey highlights how access to the right knowledge, modern techniques, and sustained guidance can help farmers build resilient livelihoods.

Published on December 22, 2025