INDIACSR News Network
BHUBANESWAR: While there is a controversial debate is going on in Odisha whether industry and agriculture can co-exist, GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited has undertaken number of agriculture-based livelihood activities under the aegis of GMR Varalakshmi Fondation in periphery villages in Dhenkanal district, which has been bringing good results.
More than 100 acres of land has been cultivated and cash crop like groundnut, maize, mustard have been raised on the bank of Brahmani river and has provided opportunity to 250 farmers to earn extra income by reusing their fallow land. Likewise, 29 farmers have started cultivating paddy by adopting SRI methods and are hopeful they will harvest more paddy this time. This has been possible due to the sincere effort by GMR Varalakshmi Foundation and with the co-operation of local people.
More than 400 families have been undertaken vegetable cultivation in the area. The foundation has imparted training to the families and provided seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment. Mr. Purendra Nayak from Mangalpur, says,” GMR Varalakshmi Foundation has given us all training and support for the development of agriculture. The production of paddy is increasing every year. I hope this year I will harvest more paddy this time from my land.”
Mushroom farming has also been undertaken by women farmers in the area. Mrs. Namita Behera from Kamalanga village, says” I thank to GMR Varalakshmi Foundation for giving support to our family for mushroom cultivation. I hope I will harvest good quantity of mushroom this time.”
Besides agriculture, the foundation has also stressed on animal husbandry activity. The foundation has provided all kind of support to more than 400 families for goat rearing, poultry, duck rearing . More than 80 families have also received fingerlings from the Foundation. The fish farming has been undertaken in 80 individually owned and community ponds in the area. In order to help farming families to benefit from backyard plantation the foundation has provided mango and teak sappling to 800 families.
Foundation’s Program Leader, Mr. Jayant Kumar Mohanty says,” The same activities will continue on behalf of foundation in the periphery villages in coming days. What the foundation has done so far is possible because of the co-operation of the villagers. ”
