Bridgestone India Launches Women-Led Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in MP

By: WE staff | Tuesday, 10 June 2025

• The Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project is being launched in Sulawad Village, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with Bridgestone India and Sagest
• Initiative led by women with the goal of empowering local women via leadership and active involvement
   

The Bridgestone Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project was started in Sulawad Village, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh, by Bridgestone India and the Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability (Sagest). The goals of this women-led project are livelihood creation, better nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

Over 1,300 fruit trees of over 15 different varieties can be found in the 4-acre orchard. These were planted using eco-friendly methods with the enthusiastic participation of the community and the assistance of Bridgestone volunteers.

The project has a remarkable 96 percent survival rate in its first year. In order to promote organic farming and generate new revenue streams, village women have also started a nursery with 1,000 saplings and are turning garden waste into compost and organic pesticides. It is anticipated that the sale of harvested fruits will give the women in charge of the orchard a steady source of income once it reaches maturity.

In addition to providing income, the initiative is addressing nutritional needs by establishing 251 household kitchen gardens. The fresh produce from these gardens is beneficial to families and complements their regular meals. Thanks to continuous training and awareness campaigns, the community now has a strong sense of ownership, responsibility, and environmental awareness.

According to Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, "true sustainability goes beyond business—it's about empowering communities and protecting the planet." This project demonstrates how community-based, women-led initiatives can improve livelihoods, nutrition, and the environment over the long run. It's about planting resilience, hope, and a better future, not just trees.

The project is notable for its multi-stakeholder, inclusive methodology. The local panchayat supplied the land, village women oversee the orchard, and employees and pupils from a nearby government school are also actively involved, even though Bridgestone and Sagest are in charge of implementation. The Bridgestone Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project is a potent illustration of how corporate social responsibility can propel long-lasting, community-led change because of its combined emphasis on sustainability, rural development, and women's empowerment.