There are two strands to our sustainable livelihood initiatives. One aspect focuses on the predominantly agricultural and livestock base of our neighbouring communities. For most of our communities, the connection with farming and animal husbandry is very strong, and we at HZL have always been undertaking interventions that will further improve the productivity from these lands, by bringing in innovations and ideas. This programme is called Samadhan.
The second strand is more focused on the youth, and preparing them to become part of the emerging and industrial economy. The first step in this direction has been the setting up of the HZL Mining Academy. The Academy is working to impart skills to the youth so that they become employable for high paying jobs in the underground mining sector.
Samadhan
HZL's neighbouring communities are largely rural settlements with agriculture and animal husbandry as the backbone of their economy. Under Project Samadhan, we work with them on adoption of improved farming practices, pest management, rain water harvesting, livestock breed improvement and more. We have also formed Farmer Interest Groups so as to ensure community ownership and long term sustainability of the interventions.
The National Farmers' Day celebrations organised under the project saw participation from 3,000 farmers, 75% of whom were women. Farmers sharing their experiences, exhibitions showcasing their produce, live demonstrations, farm visits, knowledge sharing sessions on farming and livestock techniques, quizzes and games were all part of these celebrations.
Reporting Period Highlights
| Reached over 7,000 farming families |
Our interventions in wheat cultivation resulted in
28% increase in production with an average production of 38.34 quintal per hectare |
| The resultant average production was 50.3 quintal per hectare, which is about a 31% increase in production in comparison to FY17 |
Kharif (monsoon) crop
994 farmers with irrigated land achieved
30%, 70% & 33% increase in production in Maize, Soya-bean and Millet respectively and 558 farmers with rain fed land had a 21%, 55%, 47% & 45% increase in production in Maize, Soya-bean, Millet and Black gram respectively |
Horticulture
Under vegetable farming, 390 families
were covered out of which 60% of families
cultivated high value vegetables leading to
a cash flow increase of INR 13,199/family |
Livestock
A total of 5,942 Artificial Inseminations were done during the year. 627 female calves were born and the asset valuation of milking progenies is estimated to be INR 18.88 lakh at INR 3,000 per animal |
Hindustan Zinc Mining Academy - Skilling for the Mining Sector
If we as a country, wish to harness our demographic dividend and continue to grow the economy, we urgently need to invest in the youth to prepare them to become active partners in the country's growth story. Towards this end, HZL has decided to use its domain expertise to set up a Mining Academy, in partnership with the Skill Council of Mining Sector (SCMS) and the Indian Institute of Skill Development (IISD).
The Academy currently offers two courses for underground mining - Jumbo Drill Operators, an 18-month programme, and Winding Engine Driver/Banksman/Bellman, an 8-month programme. Both courses are fully residential, and the Academy provides free boarding and lodging facilities to all candidates.
We have also introduced 'Step Up', a programme that helps eligible youth from our operational areasto prepare for entry into the Academy
Reporting Period Highlights
| 55 rural youths completed their training successfully and
195 rural youths are under training |
| 105 Jumbo Drill Operators got placed with an average salary of
INR 3.25 lakh per annum during the year |
| 47 Engine Drivers/ Banksmen/Bellmen qualified and 44 have got placed with an average salary of INR 2.92 lakh per annum |
A 9-fold Salary Hike
Irfan Mohammed Pinjara passed out from the Academy late 2017. Hailing from a middle-class background, he joined the Academy for the Jumbo Drill Operator course.
The vastly experienced instructors took him through a rigorous training of soft and technical skills, along with life lessons on the importance of discipline. To his greatest joy, during campus placement, he received multiple job offers. After reviewing all of them, he picked SMSL Company and now earns a respectable salary of INR 28,000 a month - a big jump from his last job where he earned a meagre INR 3,000 a month.
