Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, observed National Farmers Day (Kisan Diwas) by highlighting the steady progress of its agriculture-focused community initiatives that are benefitting more than 20,000 farmers across Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The programmes focus on improving soil health, ensuring reliable water access, promoting sustainable farming methods, and enabling farmers to use affordable, practical technologies at the field level. Together, these efforts aim to enhance farm productivity, protect natural resources, and build long-term livelihood security.
Women account for over 12,000 of the farmers supported, with more than 8,000 men also participating, underscoring the company’s emphasis on inclusive growth. Spread across Jharsuguda and Kalahandi districts in Odisha and Korba district in Chhattisgarh, the initiatives have helped farmers achieve an average productivity increase of 15–20 percent and income growth of 18–22 percent. These gains have come through lower input costs, improved crop practices, and diversified income opportunities.
Vedanta Aluminium’s agriculture programmes blend local knowledge with scientific approaches. Key initiatives such as Mor Jal Mor Maati in Chhattisgarh and VedGram and Sangam in Odisha focus on climate-resilient farming, regenerative agriculture, and strengthening water resources. The company has entered into partnerships with institutions such as ICAR–CTCRI to develop sustainable soil conditioners from red mud, and with NABARD to support rural skill development and agricultural innovation. Digital tools, including smart livestock collars, AI-enabled insemination equipment, and automated weather and water monitoring stations, are enabling farmers to adopt precision farming and better livestock management practices.
Commenting on the occasion, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Our engagement with farming communities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh reflects our belief that industrial development and rural prosperity must grow together. These regions depend heavily on agriculture, and by equipping farmers with modern tools, practical knowledge and sustainable practices, we are helping create resilient rural economies that extend beyond farming alone.”
In Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium has reached more than 12,000 farmers across over 60 villages. Initiatives such as Project VedGram in Jharsuguda promote soil improvement, water conservation, and agri-horticulture through WADI-based models. Project Sangam in Lanjigarh has expanded the use of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), enabling farmers to increase paddy yields while reducing water consumption and cultivation costs. Additional support includes livestock breed improvement, organic farming training, and field-based demonstrations to improve climate resilience.
In Chhattisgarh, the Mor Jal Mor Maati programme has supported over 8,000 farmers across 40 villages by improving water availability, encouraging sustainable cultivation, and introducing farm mechanisation. Farmers have adopted solar-powered irrigation systems, accessed custom hiring centres for farm equipment, and used digital livestock management solutions. Allied livelihood activities such as lac cultivation have also provided supplementary income.
National Farmers Day aligns with the Government of India’s focus on scientific soil management, digital agriculture, and farmer-centric technologies, supported through schemes such as PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the Soil Health Card Mission, and the Digital Agriculture Mission. Vedanta Aluminium’s work in soil restoration, precision agriculture, weather-linked advisories, livestock development, and horticulture complements these national priorities by enabling farmers to adopt modern and sustainable practices effectively.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action)—the company is also advancing circular economy initiatives. These include crop residue utilisation, biofuel pilot projects, and renewable energy integration, helping farmers generate additional income while reducing environmental impact.
Vedanta Aluminium’s agriculture initiatives are part of its wider social development efforts across education, healthcare, skill development, and women’s empowerment. Collectively, these programmes have reached over seven lakh beneficiaries in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. As India moves towards balanced industrial and rural growth, Vedanta Aluminium continues to work closely with communities to ensure development remains inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest aluminium producer, accounting for more than half of the country’s aluminium output, with production of 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. The company is a leading manufacturer of value-added aluminium products used across critical industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranked second globally in the aluminium sector in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its strong focus on sustainable practices. With world-class aluminium smelters, an alumina refinery, and captive power plants across India, the company is driving the adoption of aluminium as the “Metal of the Future” for a more sustainable world.
