Hindalco’s ‘Project Basudha’ empowers farmers, drives rural transformation in Sambalpur

 THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 29, 2025

Hindalco Industries Limited, a company of the Aditya Birla Group, has launched a major rural development initiative — Project Basudha — across 16 villages in the Hirakud region of Sambalpur district, Odisha. Designed to bring transformative change to farming communities, the project is a multi-pronged effort to enhance livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, scientific livestock management, and income generation activities. Implemented in collaboration with the BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD), the project is already showing encouraging results in strengthening rural economies.

Emphasizing Hindalco’s deep commitment to inclusive and community-led growth, Debasish Malik, Unit Head of Hindalco Hirakud Complex, stated, “We are not only working in areas like health, education, and rural infrastructure, but are also deeply invested in agricultural development. Our goal is to ensure the sustainable and holistic progress of the community.”

The project adopts a holistic development model aimed at empowering farmers through modern agricultural practices, access to government welfare schemes, and robust community participation. Some of the key interventions of Project Basudha include the promotion of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, aimed at increasing farm productivity sustainably. In addition, the project is facilitating training programs and exposure visits in partnership with renowned institutions such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Odisha University for Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Chiplima, and the Department of Fisheries, enhancing farmers’ knowledge and skills.

The initiative has already impacted over 400 farmers, with the goal of reaching 1,000 farmers within three years. It has also led to the organization of awareness programs on crop insurance in collaboration with the State Bank of India, through which more than 60 farmers have already registered, ensuring financial security for their agricultural ventures.

In the livestock sector, the project is promoting artificial insemination and breed improvement, implemented through Livestock Development Centers (LDCs) run by self-employed rural youth, covering over 300 animals and 60 households. A model dairy farm featuring high-yielding cows is being set up to demonstrate best practices in scientific dairy management. Additionally, the project supports backyard poultry units for 50 households, a commercial poultry unit with 1,500 birds for income generation, and a goat development program benefiting 37 households through a revolving model that ensures long-term sustainability.

To improve fodder availability, 20 farmers have already adopted fodder cultivation using high-yielding varieties such as Azolla, Sweet Corn, and Hybrid Napier, helping boost dairy profitability. The project also promotes off-farm livelihood options, including mushroom cultivation, where 100 families have received training and two commercial mushroom units have already been established through partnerships with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The positive impact of Project Basudha is already being felt on the ground. Niranjan Sahu, a farmer from Larpank village, shared, “After Hindalco’s intervention, our income has increased. They are providing good quality seeds and plants that are growing beautifully. As a result, our vegetable production has gone up, leading to higher earnings.” Supporting this view, Mousami Serpeta, Assistant Horticulture Officer of Sambalpur, noted, “With Hindalco’s support, crop diversification is being promoted, which helps in preserving soil fertility. The encouragement to grow cash crops is also providing farmers with immediate and additional income.”

This project is a part of the Aditya Birla Group’s larger vision of sustainable development, driven by its commitment to social and economic upliftment. Across Odisha, the Group’s CSR initiatives reach over 5 lakh people, directly benefiting more than 2 lakh lives across 128 villages. These efforts are conducted under the guidance of Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) to eliminate poverty and ensure freedom from hunger.