Vedanta Aluminium launches Vedamrit Jibika Farmer Producer Company to scale beekeeping in Jharsuguda
Vedanta Aluminium has launched Vedamrit Jibika Farmer Producer Company under its CSR in eastern India, distributing bee boxes to over 500 farmers and targeting 20,000 litres of honey annually to boost rural incomes in Jharsuguda.
Vedanta Aluminium has launched the Vedamrit Jibika Farmer Producer Company (FPO) in eastern India through its corporate social responsibility programme, aiming to expand rural livelihoods through organised beekeeping.
In the first phase, the FPO distributed bee boxes and provided capacity-building training to more than 500 farmers. Each honeybee box is expected to provide participating farmers an additional annual income of approximately ₹16,000.
The FPO has set production targets of 5,000 litres of honey by April 2026, with a scale-up plan to reach 20,000 litres per year thereafter. At 20,000 litres annually, the initiative is projected to generate around ₹1 crore in revenue to support the FPO’s long-term viability.
To strengthen farmer skills, Vedanta Aluminium introduced a structured bilingual training module in Odia and English and conducted live demonstrations of honey production and extraction to showcase modern beekeeping techniques.
Company representatives said the initiative will promote scientific beekeeping practices, modern production methods, and assured market linkages to transform rural incomes in Jharsuguda.
Manju Patel, a farmer and member of Vedamrit Jibika FPO, said the programme has opened a new income source beyond seasonal crops and increased confidence in securing a better future for her family.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, stated the programme reflects the company’s commitment to building sustainable livelihoods, enabling market access, and contributing to environmental sustainability through improved pollination and biodiversity.
Vedanta Aluminium plans to expand the FPO to include more than 1,500 farmers by fiscal year 2028, with the stated goals of encouraging rural entrepreneurship, diversifying farmer income streams, and strengthening economic resilience in farming communities.