AQUAECO Project Transforms Aquatic Farming and Empowers Over 50,000 Beneficiaries

Chennai: Herbalife India, a leading health and wellness company, has been honored with the IIT Madras CSR Award 2024 for its transformative AQUAECO initiative. This recognition highlights Herbalife India's dedication to leveraging innovative technology for sustainable community development.

The award was presented by Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa, Honourable Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, during the IIT Madras CSR Summit, themed 'Viksit Bharat 2047 - Driving Inclusive Transformative Impact through Tech-enabled CSR.'

The AQUAECO project, spearheaded by the Centre for Aquatic Livelihoods (Jaljeevika) in collaboration with Herbalife, has revolutionized aquatic farming by converting underutilized water bodies into sustainable livelihoods. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as IoT-based water quality monitoring, AI-powered chatbots, and digital fisheries planning tools, the initiative supports fish farmers with real-time solutions.

Aligned with government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), AQUAECO has made a significant impact in regions like Purnia (Bihar), Tikamgarh (Bundelkhand), Ratnagiri (Konkan), and Karwar (Karnataka). The project has empowered 10,000 farmers—2,500 of them women—and involved over 50 women self-help groups (SHGs) and 10 fisheries cooperatives through tech-driven, community-focused aquaculture systems.

Speaking at the event, Uday Prakash, Vice President of Strategy and Implementation at Herbalife India, said, “We are deeply honored to receive the IIT Madras CSR Award 2024. Our CSR initiatives are focused on delivering large-scale sustainable impacts by integrating advanced technologies. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to empowering communities and enhancing livelihoods across the nation.”

Herbalife India has been a key player in various CSR initiatives aimed at improving nutrition awareness, promoting education, and empowering underprivileged communities. With a focus on health, wellness, and environmental sustainability, the company continues to drive positive change and foster economic growth.

This award is a testament to Herbalife India's innovative approach to CSR and its enduring commitment to creating a lasting impact on communities across the country.