Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, conducted a Social Return on Investment (SROI) Study to assess the impact of its initiatives in Farakka, West Bengal. The study by the CII Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD) in New Delhi revealed an impressive social return of INR 9.91 for every INR 1 invested by Ambuja’s CSR arm.
Using the Social Value UK methodology and SROI principles, the study analyzed interventions carried out from 2019 to 2022. The agro-based livelihood program emerged as the highest contributor to the noteworthy SROI. It included interventions that increased agriculture income, improved crop productivity, and developed irrigation channels. Water resource management interventions also played a role in enhancing groundwater availability and irrigation facilities.
Ambuja significantly improved health conditions in Farakka through Village Health Functionaries (Sakhis). Sakhis played a crucial role in enhancing Maternal Child Health indicators, reducing Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), and increasing institutional delivery rates. Initiatives such as TB testing, HIV/AIDS awareness, and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) awareness improved healthcare accessibility for truckers. In allied agriculture, Ambuja empowered women through poultry and goat-rearing interventions, providing earning opportunities and improving access to credit and savings.
Ambuja’s skill development initiatives enabled youth to generate income and pursue entrepreneurship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these income streams proved vital for households. CEO Ajay Kapur expressed enthusiasm for Ambuja’s impact on Farakka’s communities, recognising their challenges and emphasizing the focus on community health, agriculture, and skill training to uplift marginalized and tribal communities.
Partnerships have played a significant role in the success and scalability of Ambuja’s interventions, prompting the company to strengthen models and expand initiatives to other areas in the region. Ambuja’s commitment to sustainable development and improving community lives is evident through these interventions.