For 2008, Mars Drinks has planned the "Tobacco to Tea Conversion" project. This project envisages conversion of farmers who currently grow tobacco to switch over to tea. The main activities of the project include:

• Providing free Tea saplings to the farmers
• Initiating a buy-back agreement which would provide an essence of "guaranteed income"
• Free technical guidance to the farmers

The conversion would provide a sustainable all year income higher than that generated by tobacco. Furthermore, the project would look to provide a long-term solution to deforestation and help in soil conservation.

In 2007, we launched our Kawalazi Forest Participatory Project. This project was initiated to curtail the incessant deforestation taking place around Kawalazi, in particular, and in the northern region, in general. Deforestation has become rampant primarily due to the non-existence of basic farming expertise. Most farmers abandon their existing lands for new ones with the impression that they cannot be reused for further agricultural activities. This has also increased soil erosion and it is felt that if left unchecked, the entire northern region of the country could turn into a desert in the next 10 to 15 years.

The company provided seedlings for various trees (mainly Eucalyptis Grandis) to local community. Seedlings are given free of charge & the company donates around 60000 plants every year, which covers approximately 30 hectares.

In addition, Mars Drinks funded the expansion of facilities at the existing Kawalazi clinic. Project included introducing new test analysis methods for Malaria and HIV and hiring of a skilled lab technician. Previously, patients would need to travel 60 kms to the nearest hospital just for these tests. Furthermore, the project is designed in a manner to make it self-sustaining in the near future.