The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
LANJIGARH, AUG 17, 2023
Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, has launched a new Goat Farming Project at Bhatangpadar Gram Panchayat under Lanjigarh Block. Inaugurated by Rajya Sabha Member Sujeet Kumar, the project is set to provide a new avenue for building sustainable livelihoods for over 100 families in Kalahandi district.
Over 200 goats were distributed to people from across 26 villages of Bhatangpadar Gram Panchayat as part of the launch event.
The project envisions encouraging goat rearing as an additional income source for farmers, supplementing their earnings from crop farming. The project includes detailed awareness sessions on goat rearing and breeding practices. The company has also tied up with local animal husbandry experts who will visit each house at least twice a week, to monitor the health of the goats and suggest ways to enhance their care.
Commenting on the impact of the initiative, Vedanta Limited Deputy CEO (Alumina Business) GG Pal said, “Vedanta Lanjigarh is committed to enhancing community development in the vicinity of our operations thorough our developmental interventions, including our comprehensive income generation and skill development programs. By ensuring that our community members have access to sustainable livelihoods, we enable them to pursue further goals for their progress and development, including improved education and health.
Member of Parliament Sujeet Kumar lauded the initiative taken by Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh along with Kalinga Kusum Foundation and Maniktsu Agro for development of the region. He further noted that Bhatangpadar falls under a very interior and culturally rich region of Kalahandi. Under SAGY (Sansad Adarsh Gramin Yojana) various developmental initiatives in the Gram Panchayat (GP) have been undertaken and he envisages to make it a truly ideal and developed GP of the country. Vedanta Limited reaching out to these areas shows its determination towards community development, added Kumar while appreciating the district authorities for the support they have shown towards development of the region.
Among others, Kalahandi Zilla Parishad CDO-cum-EO Pawar Sachin Prakash, Lanjigarh Block Chairperson, former minister Pushpendra Singhdeo, Bhawanipatna Municipality Chairperson, Lanjigarh BDO, Bhatangpadar GP Sarpanch and PS Members were present.
Vedanta Lanjigarh works with 4000-plus women beneficiaries promoting livelihood ventures such as poultry, goatery, farming, pisciculture etc. Goat farming is an especially productive livelihood opportunity for tribal farmers in the district. It can generate subsidiary income, can be maintained by family members, and provide year-round nutritious milk to them, allowing for Doubling of Farmers Income (DFI). Further, an integrated farming system inclusive of goat farming offers unique opportunities for maintaining and extending biodiversity.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
