Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI:
Vedanta’s Value-Added Business (VAB) under its ‘Gram Nirman’ Project, organized a workshop aimed at enhancing agricultural practices among local farmers in Navelim, Goa. The event, held at Shri Betal Temple Hall, Durigwada, saw enthusiastic participation from over 50 farmers eager to adopt modern techniques and leverage government support for growth in agriculture.
During the workshop, Assistant Agriculture Officer, Pankaj Pokle, from the Divisional Agriculture Office in Sanquelim, also explained to the farmers about the various government subsidies available for agricultural activities. These subsidies encompassed crucial aspects such as ploughing, harvesting, tool procurement, well construction, and crop loss mitigation strategies.
Joining the cause, block technology manager, Poonam, representing the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Sanquelim, provided valuable insights into advanced rice planting methods. Poonam also highlighted ATMA’s supportive schemes tailored for turmeric and marigold cultivation, poultry farming, and beekeeping, featuring diverse opportunities for farmers to diversify their agricultural pursuits.
And sharing his successful experience with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique, farmer Sundar Naik from Maina, inspired fellow farmers with practical insights into enhancing rice yields sustainably.
The workshop reaffirmed VAB’s commitment to holistic socio-economic development in the communities it serves. It also witnessed active participation from the CSR team from VAB, along with Ms Muskan Gupta, Lead Sustainability (ESG) at Sesa Goa.
Highlighting the significance of such initiatives, Saptesh Sardesai, CEO, of VAB added, “Our ‘Gram Nirman’ Project is a clear highlight of VAB’s dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and empowering local farmers with knowledge and resources.”
Expressing his appreciation, Ulhas Gawas, beneficiary of the workshop stated, “Vedanta & Vanarai team have done a commendable job by organizing this awareness session for farmers in Navelim. Suck initiatives open new doors of opportunity for farmers, encouraging them to embrace agricultural activities wholeheartedly.”
Through collaborative efforts and community-focused initiatives like these, VAB continues to play a critical role in promoting rural prosperity and sustainable agricultural development.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading oil and Metals companies with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation-building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and the environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, has been set up as a model Anganwadi’s focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, and healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies company have been featured in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award 2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place to Work 2021. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business
Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business of Vedanta Limited is engaged in the exploration, mining, and processing of iron ore.
The company was founded in 1954 as Scambi Economici SA Goa. Since then, it has grown to be one of the top low-cost producers of iron ore in the country. During 1991-1995, it diversified into the manufacture of pig iron and metallurgical coke. It has also developed indigenous and environment-friendly technology for producing high-quality metallurgical coke. Sesa Goa Iron Ore also has two waste heat recovery power plants with a total capacity of 60 MW that produce clean power by using the waste heat recovery from its coke ovens and blast furnace gas. Sesa Goa Iron Ore operations in India are in Goa, Karnataka and Odisha.
