Arun Awatade
Social Entrepreneur of the year 2014 – Youth Business International Awards
Arun Awatade from Maharashtra, India manufactures wide range of Mulching Films that helps retain soil moisture, provide weed control, decrease leaching of fertilizers and cuts down on labor & electricity. He has also expanded into manufacture of industrial packaging material; Supplying all over Maharashtra and 3 other states, contemplating exports. 40 people work in his unit; with an impressive turnover of US$ 558000 (Rs. 2.79 Crore).
Need of Mulching Paper for Agriculture industry :
Arun’s product meets a very vital social need - empowering the farmer and presenting a sustainable model of agriculture. In the rain fed agriculture region of Maharashtra, farmers struggle for lack of water due to frequent droughts. Irregular monsoons and absence of scientific methods of cultivation and irrigation. The average farmer in the region suffers and slowly sinks into debts – borrowed at exorbitant interests from middlemen. Entire families of farmers have committed suicide unable to bear the pain and burden of persistent crop failure.
In this scenario, Arun’s innovative mulching technique (mulch technical term means covering of soil) help these poor farmers to save up to 60 – 70% water. By retaining high moisture and improving the health and quality of the soil, the usage of Mulching Film liberates the farmer from the vagaries of nature and the exploitation of middlemen. Today, he employs 40 people and continues to help the farmers and grow his business.
Government of India has also recognized the use of Mulching sheets as an ideal catalyst for improved agriculture production in drought prone areas so much so they encourage use of these sheets by giving subsidy of 50% to farmers.
Arun’s contribution for conserving water & improving soil fertility: -
With unabated exploitation through deep bore wells and unscientific methods of cultivation, our farmers have exacerbated the drought conditions further and brought untold miseries on themselves.
Arun has introduced the simple technique of Mulching. This helps conserve water by eliminating the need to dig deep bore wells. By conserving soil moisture and strengthening the nutrients in the soil, Mulching Film help farmers to get maximum yield from the soil without indiscriminate usage of pesticides or costly fertilizers. Which help to lift scores of farmers from their extreme poverty.
He also encourage them to follow eco-friendly and integrated methods of cultivation rather than go in for harmful pesticides and chemicals. By using organic methods like Mulching Film, farmers in my region have saved 60 – 70% water by substantially reducing the power consumption for drawing underground water through electrically operated tube wells. With reduction in costs and improvement in yield, the farmers have substantially improved their income and quality of life.
He also create awareness among farmers about water and soil conservation, scientific methods, bio-pesticides, and other best practices through seminars and orientation programmes. He collects the paper after the mulching and recycles them.
Extending his social commitment, he also provides apprenticeship opportunities and skill training for youth in the region and help them in finding employment or setting up business.
Arun‘s background
Arun Awatade hails from a backward village in Solapur District in India. His parents migrated to Pune due to drought and worsening agricultural conditions in Maharashtra. His parents did all kind of labor work to feed the family and the family went through difficulties which they now look back as a bad dream. Arun and his younger brother many a times had to be satisfied with one meal a day. Through free education schemes of the government, he managed to complete his graduation and his brother is pursuing his education.
Arun was doing all sorts of odd jobs with a meager salary to help him meet his day to day expenses and also contribute to family income. The impact of migration, etched in their minds, made him explore options that could help sustain farmers like his father. He wanted to do something unique for the farming community and wanted to give back to the society.