Pune: CybageAsha Paddy Cup Concludes with Strong Community Participation, Championing Sustainable Farming in Rural Maharashtra

Pune, 27th January 2026: The CybageAsha Paddy Cup concluded recently across the Bhor and Velhe (Rajgad) talukas of Pune district, marking yet another milestone in Cybage Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, rural unity, and community-led development. The initiative brought together thousands of farmers and their families in a collective celebration of disciplined farming practices, teamwork, and shared progress.

The culmination of the Paddy Cup was marked by the CybageAsha Farmers’ Cricket Tournament, a much-awaited community event that served as both a celebration and a platform to reinforce the values of collaboration and inclusion. This year’s tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from 35 men’s teams and 40 women’s teams, highlighting strong grassroots engagement and the growing role of sports in nurturing social cohesion within rural communities.

A key highlight of the event was the visibility and leadership demonstrated by women farmers through the Cybage Sampada Project, which focuses on women’s empowerment. By participating actively in the cricket tournament, women stepped into leadership roles, challenged traditional norms, and gained greater recognition and confidence within their villages.

Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, Ritu Nathani, Head of Cybage Foundation, said:

“For me, the CybageAsha Paddy Cup, along with the Farmers’ Cricket Tournament, is a powerful reminder of the purpose that drives us at the Cybage Foundation every day. It is not about scores or trophies; it’s about creating opportunities for people to thrive. When communities come together to learn, play, and celebrate, a simple initiative becomes a catalyst for long-term growth and change.”

Beyond the celebrations, the Paddy Cup reflects a deeper, season-long journey undertaken by farming communities. Conducted annually from May to December, the initiative encourages farmers to adopt scientific, cost-effective, and sustainable paddy cultivation practices. Farmers participate in teams of ten, fostering peer learning, shared accountability, and collective problem-solving—a format that strengthens both agricultural outcomes and community bonds.

Throughout the farming season, participants receive hands-on support from the CybageAsha Agricultural Expert Team, with a strong focus on reducing input and labour costs, improving crop yield, increasing income, and promoting organic and resource-efficient farming practices. Collective procurement of agricultural inputs further helps farmers reduce costs while reinforcing community cooperation.

Each group follows 21 structured cultivation steps, designed to bring consistency and discipline into farming practices. Progress is monitored through dedicated WhatsApp groups, enabling real-time guidance, timely interventions, and continuous knowledge exchange—bridging traditional farming wisdom with modern agricultural science.

The 2025–26 edition of the CybageAsha Paddy Cup saw participation from 4,500+ farmers along with their families, reflecting the growing trust and credibility the initiative has built over the years. The program follows a transparent scoring system of up to 500 marks per group, with outstanding teams receiving financial recognition, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.

Launched in 2023, the CybageAsha Paddy Cup was conceived with a simple yet powerful belief: when farmers come together with access to knowledge, trust, and collective support, meaningful and sustainable change becomes possible. Since its inception, the initiative has played a pivotal role in nurturing disciplined farming practices while strengthening rural unity.