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Vedanta Aluminium Launches Vedamrit Honey Empowering Farmers and Promoting Sustainability

Jharsuguda, Odisha, December 9, 2024: Farmers supported by Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, proudly unveiled Vedamrit Honey, a premium, 100% natural honey crafted by skilled bee farmers of Laikera, operating under the Laikera HoneyFed Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). The launch event, held at the Panchayat Samiti Office in Laikera, brought together dignitaries, government officials, and the local community, to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.

This initiative empowers local farmers with modern beekeeping practices, providing them with  high-quality honeybee boxes, bees, and comprehensive training in honey rearing. More than 100 local bee farmers availed the free trainings, collectively producing pure, unadulterated honey, while contributing to the region’s ecological balance through such sustainable farming methods. Vedanta also facilitates market linkages, enabling these farmers to sell their produce to a much larger customer base.

Speaking about this initiative, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Vedamrit Honey is a reflection of our commitment to building resilient communities through innovative and impactful livelihood initiatives. This project also fosters biodiversity and strengthens agricultural productivity. It is a proud moment for all of us at Vedanta to witness the dedication of Laikera’s bee farmers yielding tangible outcomes, fostering economic empowerment and shaping a brighter future for the community.”

Ms. Sanjulata Nayak, Secretary, Laikera HoneyFed FPO applauded the effort and said, “Beekeeping is a vital activity that not only provides farmers with an additional source of income but also significantly contributes to pollination, which is critical for agricultural productivity. Vedanta’s support in this initiative has been exemplary, and I hope this becomes a model for similar community-driven livelihood projects across the state.”

Sharing his experience, Harish Patel, a bee farmer from Laikera expressed his gratitude and said, “Earlier, we faced challenges in securing stable income opportunities. With Vedanta’s support in training us in beekeeping and providing us with the necessary resources, we now have a dependable source of livelihood. The launch of Vedamrit Honey gives us confidence that our hard work will reach consumers who value pure and natural products, and this will help us improve our lives and those of our families.”

The event marked a significant milestone in Vedanta Aluminium’s journey of integrating community welfare with sustainability, reinforcing its vision of creating shared value for the environment and society.

Vedanta’s social interventions in the domains of education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture, with a focus on women and child development, reach out to nearly 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 3 lakh people in a year. It empowers almost 5,000 women from over 350 SHGs, provides doorstep healthcare services to about 50,000 people annually, gives educational support to more than 13,000 students, has planted almost 1.50 lakh trees in partnership with locals at the community level.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.