Brands
Coca-Cola India and Gram Unnati Launch ‘Project Mango Unnati’
Mumbai: Coca-Cola India, in collaboration with Gram Unnati, is excited to announce the launch of “Project Mango Unnati,” with an aim to revolutionise sustainable mango cultivation initiative, focusing on the Alphonso and Totapuri varieties in Karnataka.
Project Unnati will collaborate closely with state horticulture agencies such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), the Mango Board, the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), and various horticulture departments across different districts.
Commenting on the launch of the project, Gram Unnati, CEO & founder Aneesh Jain said, “Gram Unnati is proud to partner with Coca-Cola India on this transformative project that underscores our commitment to sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment. By adopting modern practices and focusing on quality, we aim to significantly enhance the livelihoods of mango farmers in Karnataka. Together, we will drive sustainable growth and innovation in mango farming, benefiting farmers and the environment alike.”
“Farmers are the backbone of India’s horticulture system. With Project Mango Unnati, we aim to elevate the livelihoods of these farmers with advanced horticulture solutions, empowering them to significantly increase their incomes. This aligns with the Government of India’s vision for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, making the agrarian economy self-reliant”, said Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia senior director- CSR and sustainability Rajesh Ayapilla.
Project Mango Unnati will promote ‘Sustainable Agricultural Practices’ to enhance mango yields and farmer incomes by improving the quality, size, and shelf life of the fruit. This would help farmers achieve better market prices. The project will also demonstrate and facilitate the adoption of rejuvenation techniques for old and senile orchards and high-density plantation (HDP) practices.
Project Mango Unnati will also emphasise on sustainable agriculture through micro irrigation, integrated pest management (IPM), and water conservation techniques such as mulching and rainwater harvesting. Through this initiative farmers will receive training in safe and modern agricultural practices to ensure sustainable farming.
The project will provide crop advisory services, including climate forecasting and crop alert systems, to equip farmers with climate-smart techniques besides enhancing the traceability and sustainability of the crop that will help farmers achieve better returns for their produce. Special training modules have been designed to empower female farmers, promoting gender equality in the agricultural sector.
Brands
Metro Brands appoints Harshvardhan Chauhan as CMO & SMP
Retail veteran to steer brand strategy and accelerate growth
MUMBAI: Metro Brands has appointed Harshvardhan Chauhan as its chief marketing officer and senior management personnel, effective 23 February 2026.
The move brings nearly two decades of marketing muscle into the company’s leadership ranks. With over 18 years of experience across retail, fashion, lifestyle, grocery, home and e-commerce, Chauhan arrives with a well-rounded understanding of how brands capture attention and convert it into loyalty.
His professional journey includes stints at Bharat YEF, Trident Group, RPSG, DLF Shopping Malls, ShopClues, Godrej Group, Reckitt Benckiser and Accenture, where he worked across brand building, strategic growth and business leadership.
Chauhan holds a master’s degree in business administration with a specialisation in strategy and business management from Symbiosis, Pune. He has also completed the accelerated general management programme at IIM Ahmedabad, combining academic rigour with hands-on commercial experience.
In his new full-time role, he will report to chief executive officer Nissan Joseph and work closely with the leadership team to shape the next phase of brand expansion.
For Metro Brands, the appointment signals a sharpened focus on storytelling, scale and staying one step ahead in a competitive retail landscape.
