*SEVAI:Zomoto- Greeting India Agro Forestry Program: Trichy £Karur Districts*

Watering  Saplings by Women Farmer.

*Program Background*  

SEVAI, in partnership with Zomato’s _Greening India_ initiative, is scaling up agro-forestry across selected blocks of Trichy and Karur districts. In the last year, 325,000 saplings of fruit and timber species were planted with participating farmers. Building on this, the program is now entering its next phase of expansion.  

*Current Phase: 2026 Plantation Drive*  

- *Farmer Selection*: Farmers with a minimum of 1 acre of spare land, access to water, and fencing facilities are being onboarded. Orientation sessions are currently underway to explain management practices and long-term benefits.  

- *Species Mix*: Saplings include Coconut, Lemon, Mango, Guava, Amla, Teak, and Mahogany. The mix provides short-to-medium term fruit income and long-term timber value.  

- *Cost Sharing*: To promote ownership, farmers contribute ₹10 per fruit tree sapling and ₹5 per timber tree sapling.  

- *SEVAI + Zomato Support*: Pit making, planting, and initial fertilizer inputs will be fully managed by SEVAI field teams in coordination with Zomato Greening India.  

*Implementation Timeline*  

Arrangements for pit making are being finalized now. Plantation can begin anytime in June, aligned with the onset of the monsoon to ensure high survival rates.  

*Long-Term Commitment*  

Farmers are encouraged to retain the trees for a minimum of 40 years to maximize both ecological and economic benefits. During the initial years, farmers may undertake intercropping between tree rows to generate additional income while the trees establish.  

*Expected Impact*  

The program aims to diversify farm income, improve soil moisture and microclimate, increase green cover, and create long-term assets for farming households. With continued farmer engagement and technical support, the planted trees will serve as both an environmental and livelihood resource for the next generation. 🌿