Paperman, Bhubaneswar, October 16
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has distributed 338 electric sprayers to farmers across 33 villages in Kalahandi district under Project SANGAM. Implemented in partnership with AFPRO (Action for Food Production), the initiative aims to modernise farming, improve productivity and reduce farmers’ physical labour.
The dual-mode sprayers feature battery-operated and manual functions, offering an efficient alternative to traditional hand-operated knapsack sprayers. The equipment enables faster, more uniform spraying and improves the effectiveness of crop protection measures.
Traditionally, spraying one acre of farmland takes four to six hours using manual equipment. With electric sprayers, farmers can complete the task in two to three hours, reducing spraying time by nearly 40–50%. The steady-pressure mechanism also supports better droplet distribution and crop coverage, helping minimise water and pesticide wastage.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Alumina Business, Vedanta Aluminium, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods through sustainable interventions. He added that access to modern agricultural equipment would help improve farm productivity, optimise resource use and build long-term resilience among farming communities.
A beneficiary farmer from Balabhadrapur village said the equipment would significantly reduce the time and physical effort required for spraying, particularly during peak agricultural seasons.
The sprayers are suitable for field crops, vegetables, orchards and plantations. Their battery operation and manual backup provide greater convenience during critical farming periods.
Since its inception, Project SANGAM, a key corporate social responsibility initiative, has benefited over 9,000 people across 41 villages. The programme has supported irrigation across 1,700 acres, strengthened water security, promoted climate-resilient agriculture, supported women-led enterprises and created sustainable livelihood opportunities through community-driven development.
