It’s a classic instance of ‘united we stand.’ The women of Baliguda town in Odisha’s Kandhamal district had been producing ground spices and seeds all along, but their earnings had been paltry.
However, when a trio of self-help groups (SHGs) became a single producer group under the aegis of the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), the enterprise turned out to be a resounding success.
A group of 30 Dongria Kondh tribals have quadrupled their income since their SHGs merged to form the Mahashakti Nari Jagaran Jeevan Jivika Sangh
Now, the group of 30 Dongria Kondh tribals have quadrupled their income. The SHGs — Maa Ambika, Jagat Janani and Mahashakti Nari Jagaran Manch — have merged seamlessly under the Mahashakti Nari Jagaran Jeevan Jivika Sangh.
The sangh packages foodstuffs such as sattu, tamarind powder and seeds, sal seeds, millets and mustard for sale in the larger markets. ORMAS has provided means for mechanised grinding to help change quality from roughly-ground granules to fine powders.
“They have also forged an alliance with Bhubaneswar-based startup Gumuti Online Pvt Ltd to enlarge their market area,” says Panchanana Choudhury, an Udyog Mitra (trade friend) of ORMAS.
ORMAS deputy chief executive officer DP Bhuyan explains the world of difference a week’s training has made. “Earlier, their produce’s value was about Rs 3 lakh. It has increased to Rs 10-12 lakh now,” he says. “Each woman earns around Rs 7,000 per month now, compared to around Rs 2,000 earlier.”
Eighteen-year-old Binita of Garbikia village in Nuagoan Block happily shows off to the theindiantribal.com. “We get nearly Rs 3 lakh every month collectively, after the deduction of individual shares,” she smiles. “We use this amount to purchase things like coding and packaging machines to improve our products further.”
