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Vedanta Aluminium’s Project SANGAM Trains 400+ Farmers on Safe and Sustainable Agricultural Practices Across Kalahandi

• Farmer safety awareness drive reaches 23 villages across Kalahandi

Lanjigarh, Odisha, August 7, 2026: Strong rural communities are built on the well-being and resilience of their farmers. Recognising this, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has reinforced its commitment through Project SANGAM. Implemented by Action for Food Production (AFPRO), the project conducted 23 training and awareness programmes across 23 villages in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, equipping more than 400 farmers with knowledge of safe agrochemical handling and sustainable agricultural practices. The programmes focused on the safe handling, storage, transportation and disposal of highly hazardous fertilisers and pesticides. They also promoted the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce occupational health risks and encourage environmentally responsible farming practices.

Project SANGAM, Vedanta Aluminium’s watershed and livelihood development programme in Kalahandi, supports farming communities through initiatives aimed at improving water security, agricultural productivity and livelihoods. As part of the programme, farmers were trained in safe agrochemical use, scientific application techniques and emergency response measures. The sessions also included practical demonstrations on the correct use of PPE. Protective kits were distributed to selected Farmers’ Field School (FFS) members to encourage safer practices in the field.

Speaking about the initiative, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, Lanjigarh, said, “At Vedanta, we believe that the well-being of farmers is fundamental to building resilient and prosperous rural communities. Through Project SANGAM, we are empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt safer, healthier and more sustainable agricultural practices. By promoting responsible agrochemical management and improving awareness of occupational safety, we are contributing to enhanced productivity, environmental protection and long-term agricultural sustainability.”

Sharing his experience, Siba Majhi, a farmer from Goipita village, said, “The training helped us understand the risks associated with pesticides and fertilisers, as well as the importance of using protective equipment while working in the fields. The practical demonstrations made it easy to learn safe handling methods, and I am now more confident about protecting my health while improving my farming practices.”

To date, Project SANGAM has positively impacted more than 9,000 beneficiaries across 41 villages, creating lasting value through improved agricultural practices, enhanced livelihoods and stronger community resilience. The project has also developed more than 70 water conservation structures, including community and farm ponds. These structures have created groundwater recharge potential of approximately 18 lakh cubic metres and enabled irrigation across more than 1,700 acres of farmland. In addition, the initiative is strengthening rural livelihoods by supporting poultry and goat rearing, along with micro-enterprise development programmes for youth, marginalised communities and landless farmers. These interventions are helping foster sustainable economic growth across the region.