Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the 110-year-old Hinduja Group, has launched the Silt for Sustainable Farmland Enrichment initiative in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district under its flagship Jal Jeevan programme. Implemented by PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action) and supported by Ashok Leyland as the CSR partner, the pioneering effort has already restored around 55 hectares of farmland, the equivalent of more than 75 football fields. The initiative has reduced cultivation costs and improved soil health for over 60 small and marginal farmers across Shoolagiri, Hosur, and Denkanikottai taluks.
Krishnagiri, well known for its irrigation tanks and thriving horticulture sector, has in recent years faced increasing challenges including water scarcity, declining soil fertility, and climate stress. The Hinduja Foundation’s initiative addresses these issues through a community-led, environmentally responsible, and highly replicable model designed to strengthen rural livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of the Hinduja Foundation, said that the organisation is focused on creating sustainable solutions that empower communities for the future. He noted that the initiative reflects the Foundation’s belief that innovation in rural development can align with environmental stewardship, and added that they view it as the beginning of a model that can be scaled across regions to help more farmers thrive.
The project includes desilting tank beds, transporting nutrient-rich silt to farmlands, and rehabilitating tanks and channel networks. These efforts reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers, improve crop yields, and enhance long-term soil health. Through strengthened community participation and the formation of Tank Protection Committees, the initiative also boosts groundwater recharge, increases local water storage capacity, and supports climate resilience.
In total, more than 730 farmers across 10 villages are expected to benefit from improved soil fertility and restored water systems, paving the way for a state-wide, scalable model for sustainable tank rehabilitation. Primarily supporting farmers cultivating ragi and vegetables, the project turns local environmental challenges into opportunities for large-scale rural regeneration.
