Mahogani Vishwa Agro
A Sustainable Farming Model: Mahogany Plantations in India
Mahogany Plantations in India
Millions of mahogany trees are flourishing on farms across India, creating equitable and sustainable alternatives to subsistence farming for thousands of families.
In 2020, Bhaskar Madhav Mule took a chance on a tree.
At the time, the practice of growing crops and trees alongside one another, known as agrisilviculture, was new to him and to his community. But Mule planted mahogany on his 1.5-acre farm in Khandali, a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
"When I first started, it took a lot of courage,” he says. “Many people in the village questioned me about what I would gain from these trees."
After just one year, however, Mule’s farm was thriving.
"Since planting these trees, I have been earning more income than before, which has benefited me greatly. I have also been able to demonstrate this success to the people in my village. As a result, they are beginning to realize that this is a good approach because the overall labor costs on the farm have decreased and…there is less weed growth due to mahogany."
Bhaskar Madhav Mule
Mahogany Plantation India – Participant
From Traditional Farming to Sustainable Agrisilviculture
Mule and over 4,000 other farmers across India have transformed their lives through the Mahogany Plantation in India Project (Verra Project 2479), with over 3.1 million trees planted to date. Spanning multiple land parcels throughout many districts in India, the project aims to create sustainable income sources for farmers who have been solely dependent on traditional subsistence farming.
Recognizing an opportunity to support farmers with a sustainable economic model, Mahogani Vishwa Agro Limited (MVAL) developed the grouped afforestation activity.
The project emerged as a solution to a concerning trend: farmers in small villages were struggling to support themselves and their families financially. Over the generations, farmland had been divided up among families, leaving many farmers with increasingly small land holdings—often of less than one hectare. Other factors compounded the difficulty of farming, from fluctuating market conditions to unpredictable monsoon seasons that dictated the planting schedule and left farmers at nature’s whim. Given this mountain of challenges, the ability to sustain traditional farming methods was on the verge of vanishing.
The team opted for an intercropping model in which farmers would grow trees alongside other crops like wheat, sorghum, watermelon, and maize. Intercropping offers many advantages, such as increased crop yields, improved soil quality, increased water retention, biodiversity preservation, and natural pest control.
Mahogani by the numbers
4,000+
farmers
3.1+ million
trees planted
2,800+
hectares of cultivated area
1 million
tonnes of CO2 sequestered
1,111
trees planted per hectare to optimize land use
This sustainable agrisilviculture model would provide farmers with a stable and efficient alternative to traditional subsistence farming, enabling even smallholder farmers to benefit from long-term economic returns.
As a next step, they had to pick a species of tree that would provide these important benefits.
About Mahogany Vishwa Agro Limited and MITCON
MVAL was established on January 25, 2019, as Mahogani Vishwa Agro Private Limited. In 2021, Mahogani Vishwa Agro achieved a significant milestone by registering their project with Verra, demonstrating their dedication to sustainable development and carbon credit generation. At that time, MITCON Consultancy, which was founded in 1982 and specializes in skill development and solar energy, was providing advisory services for carbon credits.
The collaboration between Mahogani Vishwa Agro and MITCON gradually evolved into a strong partnership and, in 2022, MITCON entered into a joint venture with Mahogani Vishwa Agro to contribute to the project. As part of this agreement, MITCON was authorized to use their name in the project. Prior to this, MITCON had not undertaken any agroforestry or farming projects. Their partnership with Mahogani Vishwa Agro represents their first initiative in the sector.
Mahogany Management
So far, the project has led to the planting of 3.1 million mahogany trees.
The species was selected after extensive consultations with forestry institutes in India. Although mahogany had not been widely grown in the region before the project began, it is well adapted to India’s soil conditions. Its resilience to short-term variations in the climate is especially unique, granting farmers greater control over when and where their planting occurs.
It also brings a wealth of co-benefits.
Since planting mahogany on two acres of his land in 2019, Pravin Atmaram Jadhav has cultivated intercrops such as chickpeas, maize, and wheat. “We have observed a 10 to 20 percent improvement in both the quality and yield of these crops,” says Jadhav, whose farm lies in Awasari, a village in Maharashtra’s Pune district.
In addition to the environmental benefits of intercropping, implementing the mahogany project has allowed the farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. Mahogani Vishwa Agro’s project teams regularly visit the farmers to provide guidance and ensure they have the resources they need. “Managing mahogany plantation initially seemed challenging,” says Jadhav, “but with the assistance of Mahogani Vishwa Agro and our perseverance, we have successfully established effective management practices.”
For instance, while Jadhav used to rely on chemical fertilizers, he has since been able to transition to organic manure. Meanwhile, Mule found that switching to a single drip irrigation system has saved water while improving the overall health and structure of his soil.
Mule is similarly grateful for the guidance he has received. “Field agronomists from Mahogani Vishwa Agro visit my farm regularly, offering advice on nutrient management, pest control, and optimal farming techniques,” he says. “I am extremely satisfied with their support.”
Achieving Financial Stability: Carbon Credits and Crops
Not only do the mahogany trees cultivate more sustainable farmland, but they also provide farmers with essential financial support—all while absorbing carbon emissions.
By adopting agroforestry practices, participating farmers receive income from carbon credits that their mahogany trees generate.
The Mahogany Plantation in India Project is registered with Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas crediting program. VCS projects implement a wide range of activities that reduce or remove emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect nature.
Specifically, this project implements Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) activities, increasing the density of trees to remove carbon from the air. All trees are tracked and monitored via satellite, and at regular intervals, third-party auditors validate how much carbon the trees have sequestered. For each tonne of carbon removed, reduced, or avoided, a carbon credit is issued and sold on the global voluntary carbon market. Purchasers of these carbon credits can both offset their emissions and support the farmers’ ongoing climate mitigation work. For every credit sold, the mahogany farmers receive 70% of the profit, which they use to supplement their income.
But the benefits don’t stop there: farmers can earn additional revenue by creating and selling products made of various parts of the mahogany trees, such as extracts from the seeds and leaves.
Beyond mahogany, selling intercrops provides yet another mode of generating revenue. With increased yields as a result of implementing an agrisilvicultural practice, Mule reports receiving steady income from crops including eggplant, tomato, marigold, pumpkin, maize, and guava.
Jadhav, who has met with similar success, has a message to share with fellow area farmers: “If you wish to achieve financial stability through farming, I encourage you to plant at least one acre of mahogany.”
Farming for Family and the Future
Perhaps most meaningfully, these farms have emerged as spaces for families to come together. Lush and verdant, they offer greater biodiversity compared with neighboring farms. They also tend to be several degrees cooler, on average, making them a welcome refuge on hot days.
“My daughters come to play in the mahogany plantation during their school holidays,” Jadhav says. “They enjoy spending time there and even share information about mahogany with their teachers and classmates, explaining how by planting mahogany, we are contributing to the conservation of the planet.”
As the next generation cultivates an appreciation for mahogany trees, Mahogani Vishwa Agro’s project continues to transform a vanishing tradition into a sustainable livelihood. Like the trees themselves, this project will grow for years to come.
The Mahogany Plantation in India Project contributes to 13 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here is how:
SDG 1: No Poverty – Providing livelihoods to rural, economically vulnerable individuals through employment in nursery work, planting, and farm management
SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Supporting smallholder farmers by offering additional income sources through carbon credits and timber sales
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Enhancing air quality and soil health through carbon sequestration and reducing air pollution from dust and particulate matter
SDG 4: Quality Education – Sharing knowledge about agroforestry, precision farming, and carbon credits with farmers
SDG 5: Gender Equality – Encouraging women’s participation through training and employment opportunities
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating jobs in local communities and enhancing skill sets in agroforestry, silviculture, and precision farming
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Modernizing traditional agriculture through satellite monitoring and precision farming
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Promoting growth among smallholder farmers and marginalized communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Reducing waste by recycling plastic poly bags used for seedlings and practicing agrisilviculture to balance economic viability and environmental care
SDG 13: Climate Action – Sequestering carbon dioxide through mahogany plantations, directly combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gases
SDG 15: Life on Land – Promoting reforestation, halting deforestation, improving soil conditions, and expanding biodiversity by increasing forest cover with mahogany trees
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Creating transparent agreements with farmers to build trust and accountability
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Building partnerships with farmers, NGOs, and international organizations to promote sustainable practices and enhance carbon credit systems


Verra's Perspective
When done right, ARR projects deliver multiple local benefits—creating new income streams for small landowners, building climate resilience, restoring degraded lands, and diversifying livelihoods. They also strengthen rural economies by fostering long-term stewardship of natural resources, ensuring that both people and ecosystems thrive together.
Spencer Plumb
Senior Manager, Forest Carbon Innovation | Verra

Client Perspective
Our collaboration with Verra has been instrumental in enhancing the credibility and reach of our sustainability efforts. Through this partnership, Mahogani Vishwa Agro Ltd. is not only fostering a sustainable future for farmers, but also actively contributing to global carbon reduction goals. This collaboration stands as a testament to our commitment to driving positive environmental impact while supporting agroforestry and the communities we serve.
Bhagatsing Shelke
Managing Director | Mahogani Vishwa Agro Ltd.

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