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 Mor Jal Mor Maati has started to ensure sustainable livelihood through integrated water and farming system. The initiative completed its phase third this year and cumulatively benefited 4749 Farmers (85% farming families into the fold) in 32 villages.
Integrated Farming Approach, the project has been focusing on improving the surface water management with existing resources, augmenting irrigation facilities, equipping farmers with the latest farming techniques like (SRI) Systematic Rice Intensification, Trellis & Organic Farming etc, and promoting climate resilient cropping like Millets (Kodo & Ragi), Groundnut, Scented rice to reduce the dependence on rainfall. 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.
Enhancing Water security, Recharge and Promoting Multiple cropping, 107 water structures (Community ponds, Check Dams & Dug wells) are created generating cumulative water storage capacity of 1,06,061 CuM. These structures have contributed to increasing soil moisture content and maintaining groundwater levels, thereby positively impacting the agricultural ecosystem, and promoting multiple cropping opportunities in the region.
Livelihood Diversification, it is also bringing farmers into the fold of animal husbandry, horticulture and Lac cultivation under non-timber forest produce, ensuring income generation round the year.
Institutionalizing Farming Practices, establishment of VDC (Village Development Committees) and Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) – Korba Krushak Unnayan Producer Company Limited (KKUPCL) has led to institutionalization of agriculture through business model development. The FPO has established its input & output business centers for nearby farmers.
Synergized Action, for sustained outcomes the Project also converges and leverages various Govt schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Chhattisgarh State Saur Sujla Scheme and encourages community contribution in activities like construction of farm ponds, dug well, poultry & Goatry sheds, soil bunding, SRI and irrigation equipment etc.
The project implemented 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 has established three centralized skill schools namely Vedanta Skill School in Korba, Surguja and Kawardha region of Chhattisgarh to impart free of cost residential vocational training support 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 the training is provided to youths in 6 different trades- Welder, Fitter, Hospitality, Sewing Machine Operator, Solar PV technician and Electrician. So far, these centres have trained over 12,000 youth and in FY’24, 1241 youth were trained, placed & self-employed in reputed organizations across India like Adani, Volvo Eicher, Barbeque Nation, Tata Mobile Manufacturing etc.
During the year Korba centre reassessed and received 5-star rating from the Skill Management & Accreditation of Training Centres (SMART) program by NSDC (National Skill Development Co-operation) and SSC (Sector Skill Council) in overall Chhattisgarh. This testimony of our exemplary performance has invited the trust of many government and private partnerships through various schemes like MMKVY, NABARD, Skill India Impact Bond (SIIB), Generation India etc.
The project is currently being run in partnership with Social Empowerment & Economic Development Society (SEEDS).
