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In a meaningful step toward community empowerment and sustainable development, Bridgestone India, in collaboration with the Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability (Sagest), has launched a women-led Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad village, located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Spread over 4 acres, the orchard features more than 1,300 fruit-bearing trees of over 15 different varieties. With a remarkable 96% survival rate in its first year, the project is a testament to effective planning, local engagement, and eco-conscious agricultural methods. What makes the initiative stand out is its focus on empowering rural women, who not only manage the orchard but also maintain a nursery of 1,000 saplings and produce compost and organic pesticides using garden waste—promoting self-sufficiency and environmentally responsible farming.
The initiative extends beyond the orchard. As part of the project, 251 household kitchen gardens have been developed, enabling families to grow their own vegetables and improve household nutrition and food security. Community involvement is central to this effort, with local school teachers and students actively participating in the upkeep of the orchard, and land provided by the local panchayat.
Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, highlighted the broader vision behind the project, stating that it represents a “comprehensive approach to blending community- based development with environmental sustainability.”
The project also emphasizes education and awareness, with regular training sessions conducted to build agricultural knowledge and instill environmentally responsible practices among villagers.
Through this initiative, Bridgestone India is not only supporting local livelihoods but also contributing to India’s larger goals of sustainable agriculture, nutrition security, and women empowerment—creating a replicable model for community-driven development in rural India.