Mor Jal Mor Maati
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in most of our neighbouring communities. Given the pre-eminence of agriculture for sustainable local livelihoods the Project Land & Water Management has been launched in 2012 to ensure sustainable livelihood through integrated water and farming system. This project mainly focusses on improving the surface water management with existing resources, augmenting irrigation facilities, equipping farmers with latest farming techniques & promoting multi-cropping. This has resulted into reduced dependence on rainfall and income generation round the year.
In last 9 years, through this program 1024 families have been benefitted covering 831 acres of land, 48 Water conservation structures have been created with capacity of 65,388 Cu/M of water crop security for the farmers. Training & implementation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI), System of Wheat Intensification (SWI), Organic Farming, Vegetable Cultivation have helped farmers to diversify their agriculture practices and double their income. Vedanta Agriculture & Resource Centre (VARC) has also been setup to serve as a one stop solution for farmer’s needs like training and input support. Establishment of 11 VDC (Village Development Committees) and one Farmers Producer Organisations (With 400+ members) has led to institutionalization and promotion of sustainable farming, carrying out business, marketing and adding value to the farm produce etc.
In FY’22, 1024 Farmer benefitted covering 831 acre of land in 11 villages. Farmers were supported with input support of seeds, manure, fencing, soil testing and periodic monitoring of the crops. Farmers were also capacitated through training programs on modern cropping methods.
As a result, 75% of farmers adopted modern agriculture techniques like Systematic rice intensification (SRI) which lead & systematic wheat intensification (SWI). SRI helped farmers in getting 1.5 times increase in production. Cumulatively these methods lead to an average increase in farmer’ income by 30% with 40% reduction in cost of cultivation. Capacity Building sessions of FPO (Farmer Producer Organizer) established under project with over 400 farmers as members were done. Multiple exposure cum learning visits were organized both within and outside Chhattisgarh for farmers to understand FPO management and business development for agricultural produce. In line with this FPO started its own Input Centre (Shop for selling Agri input such as seeds, Manure and Farming tools).
Vedanta Agriculture Resource Centre (One stop solution for farming needs) ventured into production of exotic vegetables such as Lettuce, Broccoli and Capsicum. It also served as the central point for training and soil testing for farmers. Convergence done with various government schemes such as Saurya Sujala Yojna, PM Krishi Sichayi Yojna, National Food Security Mission and MGNREGA.
The project is currently being run in partnership with Action for Food Production (AFPRO)
Vedanta Skill School
The surging economy of India requires huge manpower to maintain the momentum of growth especially from rural India. Korba region of Chhattisgarh has majority of tribal population with more than 60% of the youth engaged in traditional jobs with unstable income. Looking at the opportunity, BALCO in collaboration with Learnet Skills Limited has established three centralized skill schools namely Vedanta Skill School in Korba, Mainpat and Kawardha region of Chhattisgarh to impart the residential vocational training free of cost to rural youth and link them with gainful employment opportunities.
Training process has been designed as per the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) guidelines and are being run under the convergence with various government schemes such as (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna) PMKVY, MMKVY (Mukhya Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna), National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and NABARD. The training is provided to youths in 6 different trades- Welding, Fitter, Hospitality, SMO, Solar PV technician and Electrician. Since 2010, more than 9000 youths have been trained with 70% placement.
In FY’22, 594 youths trained in 3 of our centres running in Korba, Kawardha & Mainpat out of which 73% youth placed in 18 reputed organizations with an average CTC. Of INR. 12000-13000/month in 5 states. Out of 24 batches, 11 batches trained in convergence with Govt. schemes like Mukhya Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (MMKVY), NABARD, Skill India Impact Bond (SIIB) and National institute of Solar Energy (NISE).
The project is currently being run in partnership with Social Empowerment & Economic Development Society.
