VAL focuses on a wide range of schemes to promote sustainable livelihood for local communities.

VAL believes that the adoption of best agricultural centered around multi-cropping can improve the livelihood of farmers. The Shasya Shilpa Abhijan aims to motivate farmers to practice multi cropping in a year and trains them on the best agriculture practices. VAL, in partnership with Asian Institute for Sustainable Development (AISD), has formed 74 farmer SHGs and 8 clusters aiding agricultural activities and development. Around 900 farmers benefit from growing different vegetables like cabbage, radish, and capsicum. Sunflower and groundnut cultivation, taken up in 11 villages, help 35 farmers.

People of Lanjigarh and surrounding villages have benefited from innovative schemes started by VAL to generate sustainable livelihoods. To this effect, 20 ponds in 13 villages have been taken up for pisciculture. 200 youth have benefited from the same and over 25 quintals of fish have been harvested from the ponds.

In an effort to promote achievers in the educational sphere, VAL provides financial assistance to meritorious students. Vedanta Gyanashree Award is presented to the District toppers of ICSE, CBSE and Orissa Board Examinations. Cash Award and Certificates are also presented to five students under Vedanta Scholarship who secure more than 90% in the exams.

Promotion of livelihood opportunities among women has been prioritized by VAL. Women from surrounding villages of Lanjigarh are trained on tailoring skill and 100 persons from two villages have enrolled their names for the same. All persons enrolled have been provided with a kit consisting of a notebook, scissors, measuring tape, pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener and a scale.

VAL pioneered strawberry cultivation in Lanjigarh and 13 farmers have successfully grown strawberry. The firm provides technical assistance, training, guidance and agricultural inputs to aid cultivation. Vedanta has carried out regular monitoring and supervision of the field for better produce. VAL ensures marketing of the produce. Under this project, the present earnings of farmers have increased by Rs. 50000 – 75000 per acre.

Vedanta has introduced leaf plate making and trading for more than 350 women, mostly tribal. The business has enhanced the household income by Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 per month. Women were trained through a local NGO. The program also provides ‘door-step’ marketing of the leaf plates.

1. VAL would be assisting local communities in Pisciculture and repairing the existing water outlets and ponds. This is aimed at facilitating fishing in the ponds and subsequent release of the fingerlings.
2. VAL imparts training in advanced tailoring techniques as a means of enhancing employability of community members. Currently, students are learning advanced cutting and stitching for a variety of attires. VAL intends to expand this initiative to include more beneficiaries at the Tailoring Training Centre at NVN.