To bring value addition to the agro-products, a lemon grass oil extraction unit was jointly inaugurated by Unit Head, Utkal Alumina International Ltd(UAIL)Mazhar Beig and Deputy Director of Horticulture(DDH) PatitapabanSamantaray at Sorisapadar village in Rayagada district.
UAIL, a unit of Hindalco Industries of Aditya Birla Group under its CSR initiatives, has promoted this unit and extended support to a local entrepreneur cum farmer Gauranga Bisoi to set up the enterprise.
It is worth mentioning here that, under Project Sugandha, the UAIL in collaboration with the Horticulture Department of Rayagada, has been promoting lemon grass cultivation along with establishment of lemon grass oil extraction plants in its peripheral villages for last three years. As of now more than 160 acres of land has been covered under lemon grass cultivation by 111 farmers in sixteen different villages of both mines and refinery periphery along with establishment of two units at Jogiparitunda and Sorisapadar villages.
This year it has been planned to expand this activity to another 200 acres along with the establishment of two more extraction units.
Speaking on the occasion Beig appreciated the joint effort made by the company and the Horticulture Department in promoting sustainable livelihood for the farmers and assured such kind of support from UAIL in future. Samantray applauded efforts made by UAIL in promoting this cash crop for enhanced income of the farmers.