UltraTech’s Project Turns Banana Waste into Livelihoods in Andhra Pradesh
UltraTech Cement Limited’s Andhra Pradesh Cement Works (APCW) has diverted more than 800 metric tons of banana waste from landfills through a project that turns farm residue into useful products and supports rural livelihoods.
Launched in February 2025 in Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh, Project Uday was created to address two key issues in the region: the large amount of banana waste generated after harvest and the environmental damage caused by burning this waste in open fields. Tadipatri is a major banana-growing area, with nearly 1,700 acres under cultivation every year, producing around 41,000 metric tons of banana pseudostem waste annually.
The project follows a zero-waste approach, where banana stems are collected and processed to extract fibre, which is then used to make yarn and various products. UltraTech partnered with MusaFibral, a technical organisation that supports fibre extraction and product development, and Vikasa Cooperative Society, a local women’s group responsible for training and community mobilisation.
In the first phase, about 500 farmers were trained to convert banana waste into organic manure and liquid fertiliser, while also supplying leftover material for further use. In the second phase, 100 women from 10 self-help groups were trained to extract fibre, weave it, and make handicraft products such as bags, baskets, and home décor items. The leftover biomass is used to make compost, liquid fertiliser, and biogas, ensuring that no part of the plant goes to waste.
Between February and April 2025, the initiative prevented more than 800 metric tons of waste from being burned or dumped. The products made under the project are now sold through the local cooperative, exhibitions, and direct sales.
Funded by the UltraTech Community Welfare Foundation, the project is built on a ‘build–transfer–sustain’ model, helping women’s groups take ownership of the entire process—from sourcing raw material to producing and selling finished goods. The project also aims to connect women with financial institutions for long-term support.
UltraTech plans to expand Project Uday to include all 2,500 banana-growing farmers in the area, with the goal of creating a sustainable and scalable model for rural development.
