August 7, 2024

BASF India Limited (“BASF”) and NAAM Foundation successfully complete Water Conservation Project in Hingoli; Over 5000 rural families and agricultural community to benefit

  • BASF and NAAM Foundation celebrated successful completion of rural water conservation project in Hingoli district of Maharashtra, and hand over the newly developed resources to the local community.
  • Project will benefit over 5000 rural families and agricultural community in and around three villages: Bhingi, Ambala and Waranga Masai, making them water-secure, all year around.

Mumbai, Maharashtra – August 07, 2024: Water is the source of life and millions in India face the harsh reality of water scarcity every day. To improve the conditions for the agricultural communities in Bhindi, Ambala and Waranga Masai, BASF India Limited, with NAAM Foundation as its implementation partner, have successfully completed a water conservation project, where existing water bodies have been widened and innovative water conservation and rainwater harvesting systems are implemented.

The project was implemented by NAAM Foundation, a renowned NGO founded by  popular actors Mr. Nana Patekar and Mr. Makarand Anaspure, which has the rich experience of working with over 1030 water- scarce villages and assisting them in conserving water, improving water tables and effectively harvesting rainwater. The project included construction of farm ponds and water conservation work in the three villages. The project implementation was greeted with enthusiastic participation and support from the village communities. The project included deepening and widening of water canal by 3 km in Bhingi, rejuvenation of percolation tank in Ambala and construction of farm pond along with deepening and widening of water canal in Waranga Masai. These measures have successfully built access to clean water resources, creating a reliable supply of water for the villages.

Today, to inaugurate and handover the project and its resources to the local community, a hand-over event was held and attended by Alexander Gerding, Managing Director, BASF India; Sunita Sule, Head of CSR and Country Development, BASF India; Giridhar Ranuva, Business Director, BASF Agricultural Solutions India, along with Malhar Patekar, Co-founder and Director of NAAM Foundation.

Speaking about the project, Alexander Gerding said: “We are delighted to hand over this impactful water conservation project in association with the NAAM Foundation, to the community of beneficiaries. Access to clean and sustainable water is a fundamental right for all individuals. As always, BASF India Ltd remains committed to supporting projects that promote sustainable development in water conservation, to create a positive impact on the communities that we operate in. This partnership with the NAAM Foundation aligns perfectly with our commitment. The hand-over of this successful project symbolizes our shared vision and dedication towards creating a water-secure future. I hope more villages get inspired by the success of this project and join the movement in building better water access for themselves in the near future.”

Malhar Patekar commented on the project: “The NAAM Foundation has always been dedicated to addressing the water crisis and working towards water conservation in water-scarce regions. We are grateful for the partnership with BASF India, which shares our vision of a water-secure future. Together, we will make a significant difference in the lives of the people in these three villages, helping them combat water scarcity and build a sustainable future. I hope this project inspires more villages in the vicinity to work together and conserve water.”

"Farming is the biggest job on Earth, and we understand the importance of water in farming, and believe that access to clean and sustainable water is crucial for agricultural communities. This partnership with the NAAM Foundation not only aligns with our commitment to sustainable development and water conservation, but also aims to positively impact the lives of thousands of farming families in Maharashtra. By creating a water-secure future, we hope to support farmers in their efforts to sustainably cultivate the land and contribute to the growth of their communities,” said Giridhar Ranuva.

About BASF in India

BASF has successfully partnered India’s progress for more than 130 years. As of the end of 2023, BASF had 2,335 employees in India with 8 production sites and 40 offices throughout the country. The Innovation Campus Mumbai and the Coatings Technical Center in Mangalore are both part of BASF’s global technology platform. In 2023, BASF registered sales of approximately €2.4 billion to customers in India. Further information is available on  www.basf.com/in


About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools, and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

Sharvari Abhyankar
Communications Advisory, India
Last UpdateAugust 7, 2024