VISL–Iron Ore Goa Inaugurates Farmers Facility Centre at Maem, Empowering 250+ Farming Families

VISL–Iron Ore Goa Inaugurates Farmers Facility Centre at Maem, Empowering 250+ Farming Families

Bicholim, Goa: Strengthening its commitment to rural prosperity and sustainable agriculture, Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited – Iron Ore Goa (VISL–IOG), in partnership with Vanarai, inaugurated a Farmers Facility Centre (FFC) at Maem under its flagship Back to Farming initiative. Designed as a catalyst for agricultural growth, the Centre will empower farmers with access to technical expertise, capacity-building programmes and institutional support, helping improve farm productivity, enhance incomes and promote sustainable farming practices across the region.

Serving farming communities across Piligao, Maem, Mulgao, Bicholim and Shirigao, the Farmers Facility Centre will function as a dedicated resource hub offering agricultural advisory services, farmer training and assistance in accessing government welfare schemes. Expected to benefit over 250 farmer families, the Centre is envisioned to strengthen the local agricultural ecosystem by enabling higher crop productivity, improving farm incomes and encouraging the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. By promoting efficient resource utilisation, soil health management and climate-resilient farming techniques, the initiative is expected to contribute to both environmental sustainability and the long-term economic resilience of rural communities.

The Farmers Facility Centre was inaugurated by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA, Maem Constituency, in the presence of Shri Yashwant Gawas, Zonal Agriculture Officer; Shri Umakant Prabhugaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch, Village Panchayat Piligao; Shri Santosh Mandrekar, Head – North & Central Cluster, Iron Ore Goa, along with company officials, farmers and community members.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA, Maem Constituency, said, “Agriculture continues to be the backbone of our rural economy, and initiatives such as the Farmers Facility Centre play a vital role in equipping farmers with the knowledge, resources and institutional support needed to enhance productivity and adopt sustainable farming practices. I appreciate VISL–Iron Ore Goa and Vanarai for creating this dedicated platform that will strengthen livelihoods and contribute to the long-term development of farming communities in the region.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO – Iron Ore Goa, Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited, said, “At VISL–Iron Ore Goa, we believe that empowering farmers through knowledge, technology and access to opportunities is essential for building resilient rural communities. The Farmers Facility Centre reflects our commitment to enabling sustainable agriculture by providing continuous technical support, skill development and linkages to government initiatives. Through our ‘Back to Farming’ initiative, we remain committed to creating meaningful and lasting impact for farming families across our communities.”

With interventions spanning over 5.21 lakh sq. m. of farmland and benefiting more than 500 farmer families, VISL–Iron Ore Goa’s Back to Farming initiative is emerging as a catalyst for agricultural revival in the region. The addition of the Farmers Facility Centre further strengthens the programme’s efforts to enhance productivity, promote sustainable farming and create long-term economic opportunities for farming communities.