The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
ANGUL, JUNE 10, 2025
In a bold step towards sustainable agriculture, the Jindal Foundation on Tuesday launched its flagship initiative, ‘Jindal Krishi Seva,’ a comprehensive program promoting natural farming and millet cultivation across Angul district. The initiative reflects the vision of Naveen Jindal, three-time Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra and Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSP), who has been a vocal advocate for chemical-free farming in Parliament.
Jindal Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal ceremonially flagged off a Mobile Soil Testing Van, marking the official launch of the project. This van will visit remote villages to assess soil quality and deliver on-the-spot soil health reports within an hour, complete with tailored recommendations on nutrient and microbial enrichment using only natural agri-inputs.
Gracing the event were Umashankar Mishra, Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO); Amber Lubun, Deputy Director Horticulture; Ashutosh Roy, District Development Manager, NABARD; Debasis Mishra, Principal Scientist and Head, KVK-Angul; Pankaj Malhan, Executive Director, JSP; Prashanta Kumar Hota, President & Group Head – CSR & Education, JSP; along with over 300 enthusiastic farmers, officials, and agricultural experts.
Jindal outlined the vision of the program, which encompasses natural seed treatment, bio-fertiliser preparation, vermiculture, and the use of cow dung, cow urine, and composting. It also focuses on crop diversification, millet promotion, and the introduction of modern farm equipment, aiming to unite these sustainable practices on a single, integrated platform.
“Through this initiative, the Jindal Foundation is reaffirming its deep commitment to ecological balance, food security, and rural economic empowerment by nurturing the true backbone of India — our farmers and farming families,” said Shallu Jindal.
The program, inspired by Naveen Jindal’s advocacy for natural farming at a national level, will initially benefit farmers in 49 villages of Angul. Over 2,000 farmers are expected to be directly impacted in this first phase.
A live soil testing demonstration during the launch showcased scientific soil analysis and its importance in improving crop yields sustainably. Experts stressed how natural inputs restore soil vitality and reduce health risks associated with chemical farming.
During her interaction with farmers, Jindal expressed delight at the rising involvement of women in agriculture, particularly in millet cultivation and value-added food production. She also emphasized dietary shifts, advocating for the elimination of refined oils, sugar, and maida, while promoting the use of drumsticks and drumstick leaves for their nutritional value.
Local farmers Pitambar Pradhan (Kulei), Pratap Pradhan (Tukuda), and Dwari Pradhan (Majhika) shared their experiences from Kurukshetra, praising the initiative’s focus on indigenous cow breeds and organic farming.
“Natural farming isn’t just about crops; it’s a movement for better health. I firmly believe that this ‘Back to Nature’ approach will help prevent cancer, digestive disorders, and neurological diseases,” said Jindal in a press briefing.
Going forward, the Foundation plans to expand the program across Angul in collaboration with the District Administration and State Government, eventually transforming Odisha into a Natural Farming Model State, with trained farmers acting as Natural Farming Ambassadors.
