TFP Bureau, Korba; September 4, 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a leading name in India’s aluminium industry and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, marked the Hareli festival by participating in a traditional rice transplantation activity known as ‘Ropai’ under its ‘Mor Jal Mor Maati’ initiative. The event brought together over 50 employee volunteers who dedicated 86 man-hours to planting rice seedlings across 4.5 acres of farmland, effectively reducing labor costs by about 15 percent.
Hareli, celebrated at the beginning of the rice planting season in Chhattisgarh—India’s ‘Rice Bowl’—holds great significance for the state’s farming communities. This year, BALCO encouraged its employees to join local farmers in planting rice seedlings, promoting a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, emphasized the deeper impact of such initiatives:
“Our involvement in Ropai is more than just volunteering; it signifies our commitment to the community. Through initiatives like Mor Jal Mor Maati, BALCO supports local farmers by introducing modern agricultural practices such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique. Our goal is to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector in the region by providing essential knowledge and resources.”
BALCO’s efforts have trained nearly 2,300 small and marginal farmers in the SRI method, significantly boosting their economic prospects. Traditional methods of random seed dispersion often led to competition with weeds and pests, resulting in lower yields. The SRI technique, however, strengthens root development, leading to healthier crops that are more resistant to diseases and pests, often resulting in a 20-30 percent increase in rice production.
Dhansaya Patel, a farmer from Bundeli Village, shared his positive experience: “The SRI training has been invaluable. Since adopting this method, we’ve seen a notable increase in our crop yield compared to traditional practices.”
Sarthak Patel, a BALCO employee who participated in the Ropai, reflected on the experience: “It was inspiring to work alongside farmers and connect with nature. Learning about the crops firsthand and contributing outside of our usual roles was truly fulfilling.”
The ‘Mor Jal, Mor Maati’ project by BALCO has reached over 4,749 farmers, covering more than 1,400 acres in 32 villages. Over 80% of these farmers have adopted modern agricultural techniques, leading to a 50% increase in production and a 40% reduction in input costs, significantly boosting their annual incomes.
