Korba, 4th Jan 2025 – Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, celebrated Kisan Diwas with a two-day Kisan Mela under its flagship agriculture initiative, Mor Jal Mor Maati. Hosted in Vedanta Agriculture and Resource Centre and Bhatgaon village, the event witnessed an enthusiastic participation of over 600 farmers across 40 villages of Chhattisgarh, reaffirming BALCO’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices and enhancing rural livelihoods.
The Mela featured six thoughtfully curated stalls, including two dedicated to BALCO’s pioneering Mor Jal Mor Maati project. These stalls focused on subjects like integrated pest & nutrient management practices, crop cycles, disease infections, etc. along with livestock development practices like variety of breeds, fodder management etc. Alongside partnering with the District Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Departments, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khatgora, the stalls presented advance farming mechanisms & equipment, including poultry hatchery. Additionally, state agriculture & veterinary universities like Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya & Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya also participated, hosting sessions around farming practices. The Mela also provided hands-on demonstrations of wadi management, grafting, seed dressing, and soil tilling. These activities are aimed at equipping farmers with practical techniques for improving productivity and encouraging them to adopt sustainable farming methods.
Progressive farmers were acknowledged for their dedication and innovative approaches during the event. Among the accolades distributed were advanced tools such as the NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Produce) Lac Cultivation Spray Kit, designed to inspire agricultural advancements and motivate young farmers in the community.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO, shared, “The Kisan Mela embodies BALCO’s vision of fostering rural prosperity through innovative agricultural practices. By equipping farmers with the right resources and knowledge, we aim to create a resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem, crucial for our nation’s development.”
Sharing her experience, Mrs. Laxmin Bai, one of the progressive farmers, said “The Kisan Mela has been an experience we look forward to, offering practical insights that empower us to enhance productivity on the field. BALCO’s support motivates us to embrace modern farming techniques and guides us towards a prosperous future.”
Beyond knowledge dissemination, the event celebrated the essence of rural camaraderie through traditional games like tug of war and archery. These activities created an atmosphere of joy and unity, blending recreation with meaningful learning experiences.
The Mor Jal Mor Maati project continues to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing rural agriculture. By reaching out to over 5000 farmers, covering more than 2,200 acres of land across 40 villages, the project has been integrating traditional wisdom with modern methodologies. The project is being jointly run with BAIF Institute of Sustainable Livelihoods and Development. This initiative has not only enhanced productivity but also enabled a stream of self-reliance among farmers. Empowering them through various means like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), trellis, organic farming, climate-resilient cropping, and vegetable & wheat cultivation. Around 15% of the farmers are engaged in livelihood diversification activities like animal husbandry, horticulture, and non-timber forest produce. The project also has introduced new initiatives under livestock development while scaling up wadi management. With its focus on sustainable growth and community development, BALCO remains a beacon of progress in India’s agricultural sector.
