ITC Limited has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Rajasthan for an integrated watershed development project in Bhilwara district. The project has been sanctioned under the Integrated Wasteland Development Project of the Government of India. The MoU was signed between ITC and the Government of Rajasthan at a function presided over by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister of the State, Shri Kalu Lala Gurjar.

As per the MoU, 5,000 hectares of land will be treated over a period of five years. A detailed project report will be prepared to derive the actual cost of treatment with special focus on addressing the livelihood needs of the community. This is a pathbreaking public-private initiative in the area of watershed development in the country.

The project will be implemented by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with the support of an empowered Project Management Committee (PMC). This is the first time that a watershed project will focus on activities like efficient water use, agri-marketing, crop diversification, micro credit, etc.

Shri Gurjar said that the aim was to set up a model watershed project in the State by utilizing the knowledge and expertise of the private sector through collaboration with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Mr Rajanikant Rai, Vice President, Operations for ITC’s Agri Business, emphasised ITC’s commitment to the farmers as evident from its e-Choupal and watershed development initiatives. He added that ITC focuses on three aspects of the rural economy – biomass regeneration, watershed and livestock development - to make growth sustainable and inclusive.