On Kisan Diwas, BALCO recommits to empowering farmers through agricultural innovations

Balconagar, January 9, 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium Business, commemorated Kisan Diwas (December 23) by organizing a mega Kisan Mela in the villages of Jambahar and Bela, Korba. The event drew the enthusiastic participation of over 350 farmers from across 32 villages in the district, bringing together government agencies, financial institutions, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to promote greater partnership and empowerment.

BALCO hosted the program in partnership with the Action for Food Production, an NGO engaged in generating awareness on enhanced farming practices. Participants were engaged through insightful discussions, workshops, and exhibitions during the festival. In addition, 20 farmers from Korba were felicitated for demonstrating progressive farming practices. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture Department, Forest Department, Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AICI), Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Department, and the Regional Rural Bank.

The event focused on disseminating crucial information on building sustainable agricultural livelihoods and encouraging rural development. It showcased the latest agricultural innovations and techniques available to enhance the productivity of farmers. Informative sessions on various crop insurance schemes were also conducted, underscoring the importance for farmers to secure their crops. Additionally, detailed knowledge was shared on the various government initiatives available for providing financial assistance and other benefits to farmers.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO said, “We firmly believe that farmers are an important contributor to our nation’s development. BALCO is dedicated to uplifting and advancing the farming community through various technological and innovative programs. Farmers trained through these initiatives have achieved success in increasing crop production through organic farming, agricultural innovations, and modern technologies. Our project Mor Jal Mor Maati’ has proven especially beneficial for farmers, and we are committed to supporting them through other comprehensive development programs.”

The Mor Jal Mor Maati project focuses on supporting farmers through initiatives such as improving surface water management with existing resources, augmenting irrigation facilities, and promoting multi-cropping to reduce dependence on rainfall. It is also introducing farmers to new avenues such as animal husbandry, horticulture, and non-timber forest produce, ensuring income generation round the year. The Vedanta Agriculture & Resource Centre (VARC) has also been set up as part of the project to complement these efforts through trainings and input support.

Covering more than 1200 acres of land and reaching out to over 3700 farmers, the Mor Jal Mor Maati project has become a cornerstone in providing essential resources to the agricultural community in Chhattisgarh. The technical support provided has helped them to reduce overall costs and led over 1000 farmers to adopt modern agricultural methods, resulting in an increased average annual income.

The project has also motivated young farmers to embrace agriculture as their main livelihood, with approximately 25% of the project’s beneficiaries being youths. Local farmers are also linked to various government schemes through this project. BALCO remains committed to empowering farmers and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in the agricultural sector through initiatives like ‘Mor Jal Mor Maati.’