ITC believes that its aspiration to create enduring value for the nation provides the motive force to sustain growing shareholder value.
It is imperative for the Indian economy not only to sustain high rates of growth over many years but also to ensure that such growth is inclusive, so as to free millions of our disadvantaged citizens from the indignity of poverty. The requisite high rates of inclusive growth can only be achieved by putting in place an effective growth strategy for rural India, which is home to 72 % of the Indian population and 75% of its poor.

Empowering farmers
ITC has partnered the Indian farmer for close to a century. ITC is now engaged in elevating this partnership to a new paradigm by leveraging information technology through its trailblazing ‘e-Choupal’ initiative. The initiative, which commenced in 2000, is elevating farmers to a new order of empowerment. Using Internet stations installed by ITC right in their villages, farmers are able to readily log on to crop-specific and content-rich websites in their own native languages. Websites provide micro-level local weather forecasts, expert knowledge on best farming practices, agri inputs and local, national and international agri commodity prices online. In 2003-04, the ‘e-Choupal’ intervention helped enhance the global competitiveness of over 2.4 million farmers across 6 states. Over the next decade, ITC aims to empower 10 million farmers in 100,000 villages across India.