The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MAY 25, 2023
Indian cement major Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL) in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has launched a new sustainable livelihood initiative – “Promotion and formation of Farmer Producer Organization on Backyard Poultry Farming” at Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district of Odisha.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between DCBL and NABARD, the project will provide sustainable income opportunities via poultry farming to 300 families in rural communities within a span of three years.
In India, poultry farming is a successful and profitable sector and provides a significant source of protein for the country’s meat-consuming population.
To spearhead the project effectively, a dedicated FPO named “Fleshy Chicken Farmer Producer Company Ltd” has been formed and registered under the MSME sector.
Lilendri Naik has been appointed as the Chairman and Lalmen Nag as the CEO from the community to oversee the operations, market linkage, and management of the project, ensuring effective implementation.
In the initial phase, 40 families from periphery villages had received 100 one-day-old broiler chicks each. Within 40 days of the program’s commencement, the initiative achieved outstanding progress, with each family earning between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,500 per month through this venture.
The project is in the process of adding up to 100 families by the end of the first quarter of FY2023-24.
To commemorate this remarkable milestone, DCBL organized an event at the registered office of the FPO in Bihabandh. The event was graced by DCBL Executive Director & Rajgangpur Unit Head Chetan Shrivastav, DCBL AED Dr. Niladri Bhusan Parhi, AED Om Prakash Khelkar, NABARD Sundargarh District Development Manager Tapas Kumar Behera, UCO Bank Rajgangpur Branch Manager Bikash Pattanaik, Fleshy Chicken Farmer Producer Company Ltd. Chairman Lilendri Naik, among others.
Commenting on the initiative, Chetan Shrivastav said, “At Dalmia Cement we remain committed to empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable development for all. Poultry Farming has an enormous potential to provide sustainable income to affected families in rural areas. Many program participants have experienced the advantages of this initiative, establishing a dependable income stream and enhancing their financial stability.”
“We hope to continue to bring about transformative changes and create a positive impact. We are grateful to the officials of NABARD for their support,” he added.
For the second phase of the project, 60 beneficiaries from the project affected villages have been identified who will join the program through this market-linked initiative.
Dalmia Cement is actively engaged in conducting diverse programs aimed at skill development and fostering sustainable livelihoods in Odisha. The initiatives are specifically designed to uplift marginalized communities in the region. It encompasses empowering farmers, youth, and women through training, skill development opportunities, and income-generating programs such as animal husbandry mushroom farming, handicraft production, spices and pickle making, flower and organic vegetable farming, terracotta products making, etc.
