Vedanta aluminium scales organic farming interventions in Kalahandi, benefiting 170 households
By Ramachandra Behera
Bhubaneswar, June 16: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, is strengthening sustainable agriculture practices in Odisha’s Kalahandi district through its Vermicompost and Azolla Promotion Initiative under Project Sangam, benefitting 170 tribal and smallholder farming households across 27 villages.
Under the programme, the company has supported the establishment of 140 vermicomposting units and 30 Azolla cultivation systems at the household level, enabling farmers to convert locally available organic resources such as cow dung, crop residues and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost and sustainable livestock feed.
These interventions are helping farmers transition to low-cost, self-reliant farming practices, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers while improving soil health, moisture retention, and crop productivity. At the same time, Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern, is being adopted as a protein-rich feed for poultry and livestock, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional fodder.
Designed as a community-driven intervention, the programme prioritises tribal households, women farmers and Goat Rearing Groups (GRGs). Farmers receive hands-on training on compost preparation and use, moisture management, earthworm care, and Azolla cultivation. Organic waste that was earlier discarded or burnt is now converted into high-quality compost within 45 to 60 days, strengthening on-farm resource utilization.
The initiative has seen strong on-ground adoption, with women actively managing vermibeds and contributing to household farming decisions. Farmers are increasingly applying vermicompost across crops such as paddy, vegetables, and horticulture, strengthening community-led diffusion of the practice.
Speaking about the initiative, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium, Lanjigarh, said, “Building resilient rural ecosystems requires solutions that are locally relevant, resource-efficient and scalable. Through our interventions in Kalahandi, we are enabling farmers to adopt sustainable practices and strengthen long-term livelihoods. Our focus remains on creating self-reliant communities through partnerships, knowledge-sharing and continuous on-ground engagement.”
Sharing her experience, Gobinda Dalapati, a farmer from Balabhadrapur village, said, “Earlier, we spent money on fertilizers and poultry feed without realizing that everything we needed was already in our homes. Now, with vermicompost and Azolla, we are growing healthier crops, saving money, and feeding our livestock better. It has changed the way we look at farming.”
Through Project Sangam, Vedanta Aluminium has reached over 9,000 farmers across the district, enabling improved soil and water conservation, enhancing farm productivity, and supporting more efficient, climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive community development across its operational regions through a comprehensive suite of initiatives spanning education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, women empowerment, and infrastructure. The company works closely with local authorities, community institutions and stakeholders to ensure its interventions address critical gaps and deliver long-term socio-economic impact.
