THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 11, 2026

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, through its CSR initiative, has launched Vedamrit Jibika Farmer Producer Company, marking the debut of ‘Vedamrit – 100 per cent Pure Honey’, aimed at strengthening farmer livelihoods while championing sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. With this initiative, Vedanta Aluminium has established the largest honey Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Eastern India.

In the first phase, bee boxes have been distributed to more than 500 farmers following intensive capacity-building training. Each honeybee box is expected to provide participating farmers with an additional annual income of approximately ₹16,000, offering a stable supplementary livelihood opportunity to rural households. The FPO is set to produce 5,000 litres of premium, 100% pure honey by April 2026, with a scale-up plan to reach 20,000 litres every year. This expansion is expected to generate revenue of around ₹1 crore, ensuring the long-term sustainability and viability of the FPO.

As part of the launch, Vedanta Aluminium also unveiled a structured bilingual Training Module in Odia and English to strengthen the technical proficiency of farmers associated with the FPO. A live demonstration of honey production and extraction provided hands-on exposure to modern beekeeping techniques, further building confidence and readiness among participating farmers. The initiative is expected to transform rural incomes in Jharsuguda by equipping farmers with scientific beekeeping practices, modern production techniques, and assured market linkages.

Manju Patel, Farmer & Member, Vedamrit Jibika FPO, said, “Vedamrit has opened a new door for us. With training and support, I am now able to earn more without depending only on seasonal crops. This initiative has given farmers like me the confidence that our hard work can create a better future for our families.”

Vedamrit goes beyond honey production; it is designed as a holistic livelihood ecosystem that integrates income enhancement with environmental regeneration. Beekeeping significantly improves natural pollination, contributing to a projected 30% improvement in crop productivity, while also strengthening biodiversity and building climate-resilient farming systems in the region.

Commending the launch, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Vedamrit reflects our commitment to building sustainable livelihoods for communities around our operations. By empowering farmers with scientific beekeeping practices, market access, and capacity building, we aim to create a robust ecosystem that enhances rural incomes while also contributing to environmental sustainability through improved pollination and biodiversity.”

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Jharsuguda Collector & District Magistrate Kunal Motiram Chavan, along with several local governance leaders. From Vedanta Aluminium’s Jharsuguda plant, the senior leadership team, including CEO C. Chandru, CFO Amit Gupta, CSO Captain O.P., HSF Head Sandeep, Vedanta Aluminium CSR Harmeet Sehra, along with the CSR team, were present during the event.

Vedanta Aluminium aims to expand the FPO to include more than 1,500 farmers by FY28, positioning Vedamrit among the largest honey producer organisations in the country. The initiative will further encourage rural entrepreneurship, diversify income streams, and strengthen economic resilience among farming communities.

By aligning livelihood generation with environmental stewardship, Vedanta Aluminium continues to deliver impactful and future-ready social interventions across its operational communities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Beyond sustainable livelihood programmes like Vedamrit, the company also invests significantly in education, healthcare, skill development, women’s empowerment, and community infrastructure, creating long-term and inclusive growth pathways for rural communities. Through these initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium remains committed to uplifting lives and fostering sustainable rural development across the regions it serves.