Vedanta Empowers Nearly 50000 Farmers Through Farmer-Led Institutions and Resilient Livelihoods

New Delhi, December 23: Marking Kisan Diwas, Vedanta Limited reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India’s rural economy by enabling farmers to transition from subsistence farming to enterprise-driven, resilient livelihoods through institution-building, climate-smart agriculture, and livelihood diversification.

In FY 2024–25, Vedanta’s integrated rural development initiatives reached nearly 50,000 farmers across its operational regions, generating close to ₹14 crore in rural income through dairy and allied activities. The company said its long-term approach focuses on empowering farmers as leaders and entrepreneurs by investing in farmer-owned institutions, local enterprises, skills development, and sustainable natural resource management.

Central to Vedanta’s rural strategy is the creation and strengthening of farmer-owned institutions. Across its businesses—including Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Vedanta Aluminium, Cairn Oil & Gas, the iron ore business, ESL Steel Ltd, and FACOR—the company has facilitated the formation of seven farmer producer organisations. These FPOs enable collective management of dairy operations, cattle feed and mineral mixture units, biomass facilities, and value-added agriculture enterprises.

Vedanta said farmers associated with these institutions have recorded average income growth of around 10% and up to 25% higher crop yields, while gaining greater ownership and decision-making power over their livelihoods.

The company is also supporting diversified and climate-resilient livelihood models, encouraging farmers to expand into dairy, horticulture, oilseeds, and allied activities, backed by improved irrigation, better agronomic practices, and assured market linkages. In Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc has supported farmers across nearly 200 villages, where FPO-led interventions have generated close to ₹80 lakh in income over the past three years, reflecting a 40% growth since inception.

In Odisha and Chhattisgarh, initiatives such as Project Jeevika Samriddhi at Vedanta Aluminium’s Jharsuguda operations and Mor Jal Mor Maati at BALCO have strengthened farm incomes through improved irrigation, agronomy, and technology-enabled practices like the System of Rice Intensification, which increases yields while using fewer resources. In select locations, household incomes have risen by up to 50%.

Technology and natural resource management form the third pillar of Vedanta’s rural development model. Smart agriculture interventions, including automated weather and water stations, provide farmers with real-time weather forecasts, soil health insights, and pest alerts. Watershed development and solar-powered irrigation systems have enabled multi-cropping in water-stressed regions. In western Rajasthan, programmes such as Maru Sagar Dairy and Barmer Unnati have strengthened milk procurement systems, developed orchards and pasturelands, promoted organic farming, and helped conserve more than 45 crore litres of water.

Beyond crop-based livelihoods, Vedanta is investing in skills development and livestock care as parallel income pathways. In Odisha and Jharkhand, the iron ore business supports farmers through training in mushroom cultivation, composting, beekeeping, and scientific farming practices, while FACOR’s Project Sathi Pashukalyan focuses on animal health through vaccination drives and community awareness.

Women and youth are playing a central role in Vedanta’s rural initiatives. Across Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, women are emerging as leaders managing FPOs and self-help groups, running agricultural and dairy enterprises, and improving household nutrition through kitchen gardens. Youth-focused programmes are equipping the next generation with modern agricultural, enterprise, and technology skills to sustain farmer-led institutions over the long term.

Highlighting the impact at the household level, Pochu Devi, a beneficiary of the Maru Sagar initiative, said the training she received helped her establish a thriving kitchen garden, generating an income of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 while providing pesticide-free vegetables for her family.

As India marks Kisan Diwas, Vedanta said its experience demonstrates how farmer-led, enterprise-driven development can reshape rural economies at scale by combining local leadership, innovation, and long-term investment in sustainable rural systems.