The Business Bytes
Angul, Deccember 14, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a transformative step towards promoting sustainable agriculture, the Jindal Foundation, under the guidance of Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power and a three-time Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, launched an ambitious Natural Farming and Millet Cultivation Project in collaboration with HDF-cDAR. The initiative aims to empower farmers through eco-friendly practices that foster environmental sustainability and health-conscious agriculture.
The launch event was a landmark gathering of agricultural experts, scientists, CSR leaders, and farmer representatives. Yoga Guru Swami Satyabindu Saraswati, representing Jindal Steel & Power (JSP), highlighted the benefits of natural farming for achieving a toxin-free and healthy lifestyle. “True prosperity comes from good health and wholesome food rather than material wealth,” he said, advocating for a shift towards natural farming.
The project, in its pilot phase, covers 200 acres, with 150 acres dedicated to millet cultivation and 50 acres allocated for vegetables in JSP’s peripheral villages. It also incorporates the development of 500 kitchen gardens and the plantation of 10,000 fruit-bearing saplings, emphasizing ecological restoration and food security. Responding to the Union Government’s recent focus on natural farming in the national budget, Naveen Jindal commended these measures, underscoring the significance of sustainable and health-friendly agriculture for the nation’s future.
The event included technical sessions led by agricultural experts. Anshuman Patnaik and Paresh Kumar Bhanja shared insights into zero-investment natural farming and pest management, while Debasis Mishra, Senior Scientist & Head of KVK, Angul, provided valuable guidance on improving soil health through sustainable practices.
The program witnessed the participation of key dignitaries, including Dilip Kumar Mishra, Chief District Agriculture Officer, Angul; Amber Lugunu, Deputy Director Horticulture, Angul; Ashutosh Roy, DDM-NABARD; Chandan Kumar Jena, LE-DMF; Amit Kumar Behera, Assistant Director, Soil Conservation; Nrusingha Charan Nayak, Project Director from HDF-cDAR; Sarat Kishore Panda, GM-HR & ES, JSP; Jayanta Kumar Mohanty, GM-CSR, JSP; and Ashutosh Mishra, DGM-CSR, JSP. Hundreds of farmer leaders from surrounding villages actively participated in the event, reflecting their enthusiasm for embracing sustainable agricultural practices.
During the event, a comprehensive booklet on natural farming and IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials were unveiled, alongside the distribution of tools and pest management resources to the farmers. This initiative stands as a testament to JSP’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, setting a precedent for collaborative agricultural development in India.
