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RURAL PROSPERITY IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE ...

Sanjana Gorti, Aha...

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RURAL PROSPERITY IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: MAHINDRA STRIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES

Sanjana Gorti; Ahaana Mahanti; D.V.R. Seshadri; Prachee Javadekar; Sailesh Rao

ISB335 | Published August 8, 2022 | 17 pages Case

Collection: Indian School of Business

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Learning Objectives

This case illustrates the efforts of the Mahindra Group’s Agri Business and Farm Equipment divisions to drive sustainability-oriented action aimed at improving the lives of rural communities and preparing them to adapt to the impacts of climate change. It briefly describes the far-reaching consequences of climate-related disasters in terms of loss of food and nutrition security; livelihood; crop production; and losses in manufacturing, especially in developing countries such as India that are highly reliant on agriculture. The approach adopted by the Mahindra Group to tackle challenges in agriculture, such as water scarcity, food wastage, and energy-intensive practices, through affordable and energy- and resource-efficient technology is discussed. There are intense deliberations among the leaders of the Mahindra Group businesses about the way forward and concerns regarding climate-friendly innovations, which, from the perspective of the Chairman, ultimately translates into creatively reconciling the conflict between environmental goals and profitability goals. The Chairman and the Chief Sustainability Officer are firm in their belief that there are immense business opportunities in aggressively implementing sustainable practices. The leadership of the Mahindra Group is deliberating on how they can collaborate with rural communities and devise ways to improve farm-to-market linkages, reduce the costs of farm inputs, and scale up energy-efficient technology.

1. To understand the business risks and opportunities presented by climate change and their implications for food and nutrition security, and livelihoods for rural communities. 2. To illustrate the Mahindra Group’s efforts to address environmental challenges. 3. To discuss how Mahindra Group resolves the conflicting imperatives of profitability and sustainability. 4. To identify the traits of a regenerative business design that generates sustainable value. 5. To explore the applicability of key frameworks such as sustainable business model innovation and the Doughnut Economics model to the Mahindra Group’s Agribusiness and Farm Equipment businesses.