ASSIST together with Bayer MaterialScience and co-finance by DEG and KFW hold the Multi-stakeholder Forum and the launch of the project SUSTAIN in Chennai, India on April 29-30, 2013.
SUSTAIN is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project co-financed by DEG and implemented by Bayer MaterialScience and ASSIST to create opportunities of sustainable livelihood for farmers in India. The project will realize the installation of the twin technology of Solar Dryer and Cold Storage Unit in the selected farm lands in the Southern region.
The Multi-stakeholder forum was organized to pre-launch the project and hold discussions on the various improvements required in the agricultural sector in India, specifically in Tami Nadu. S. Muralidharan from ASSIST, Isaac Emmanuel and Muthu Koloppan from Bayer MaterialScience were the speakers of event. Representatives from different organizations such as Farm Fresh Banana, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Federation and other private companies participated in the forum. The discussion ended with a few places being short listed for installation of the solar dryers and cold storage units
The launch was graced by ASSIST Group Managing Director, Sreenivas Narayanan, Head of Business Development & Social Business Initiatives, Isaac Emmanuel, Bayer MaterialScience, Dr. C. Palaniappan, MD, Planters Energy Network and Dr. S. Ramasamy of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) as the distinguished speakers. Discussions on possible developments for the rural farmers through joint efforts by public and private organizations were presented.
The event was covered by The Deccan Chronicle, The Hindu, The Indian Express, Sakshi, Viduthalai etc.
