Project Sakhi promotes value addition, micro-enterprises and sustainable rural livelihoods

By Pramod Sahukar

Lanjigarh, Oct. 9: Vedanta Aluminium has trained more than 100 women from self-help groups (SHGs) across four Gram Panchayats in Odisha’s Lanjigarh region in preparing ragi-based snacks, equipping them with skills to develop micro-enterprises and generate sustainable livelihoods.

The capacity-building programmes were conducted under Project Sakhi, the company’s women’s empowerment initiative, with the latest phase benefiting over 71 women through hands-on training in food processing, product development and entrepreneurship.

Conducted in Paikaranipinda, Lanjigarh and Sibapadar Gram Panchayats, the training focused on converting locally available ragi into marketable food products, including crackers, pheni, murukku, cookies and other nutritious snacks.

Participants also learned about quality standards, packaging, branding and market linkages to help them turn their skills into viable businesses.

Sukanta Patra of Jay Shree Ram SHG in Paikaranipinda said the training had helped women prepare products such as ragi laddoos, pitha and mixtures. With Vedanta’s support in promoting and marketing their products, the group members are earning a regular livelihood.

The initiative has boosted their incomes and confidence as entrepreneurs, Patra said.

Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Alumina Business, Vedanta Aluminium, said equipping women with the right skills and support could help them build sustainable income sources for their families.

“Through Project Sakhi, we are helping women develop entrepreneurial capabilities and create value from locally available resources such as ragi,” he said, adding that grassroots enterprise development could strengthen rural livelihoods and promote inclusive growth.

Launched in 2015 and implemented through the Shaktimayee Foundation, Project Sakhi has mobilised more than 500 SHGs and empowered over 5,300 women in Kalahandi and surrounding areas. The programme has also facilitated the establishment of more than 2,000 enterprises through farm and non-farm livelihood interventions.

Through such initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium aims to expand women-led entrepreneurship and strengthen livelihood opportunities in communities surrounding its Lanjigarh operations.