Bhubaneswar: In the tribal heartlands of Odisha, a silent economic transformation is taking root. For the first time in the country, Odisha has successfully formalized a women-led forest-based value chain, marking a historic shift in how non- timber forest produce (NTFP) is traded and governed. This effort aligns with the Viksit Bharat and Subhadra Shakti vision of the Government of Odisha under the leadership of the Department of Mission Shakti.
In a significant milestone, five Green shakti producer’s companies (GSPCs) – Manaya, Duarsuni, Gandha mardana, Mendadongri and Sunamanjari – have completed their first commercial sale of Sal (shorea robusta) seeds, dispatching 38 metric tonnes to AAK India, a global player with FartMart acting as the supply chain facilitator. The sale, priced at 29 per kilogram, reflects the emergence of a structured, transparent and women -led forest economy.
The Green Shakti Producer Companies — all registered and governed by women from forest proximate areas — were incorporated in recent months across six districts of Odisha: Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. With strong support from local administration and Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, these companies were quickly made GST-compliant, equipped with functioning bank accounts, and trained in governance, procurement, and enterprise management.
Critically, the leadership curriculum designed by the Indian School of Business (ISB) under the MoU with the Department of Mission Shakti has proven instrumental in inculcating a sense of strategic leadership, sustainable business acumen, and forest stewardship among the women Board members. Through intensive training sessions, field mentoring, and enterprise exposure, the cohort has empowered tribal women not only to participate in economic activities but to lead them with vision and accountability.
The companies procured Sal seeds directly from primary forest collectors at competitive prices, eliminating middlemen and bringing price transparency to a traditionally informal sector. In areas where procurement systems previously did not exist, this intervention has raised local prices and introduced healthy market competition.
Hiramoni Marandi, President of Duarsuni Green Shakti Producer Company in Bangriposi has thanked Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida for the Subhadra incentive and regular training and support.
FarMart, the supply chain partner, enabled the trade by extending upfront working capital to the Producer Companies, allowing seamless aggregation and timely dispatch.
Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business has thanked the Odisha Government for the supportive business ecosystem.
The Producer Companies have adopted sustainable aggregation practices, working with local women aggregators who ensure quality collection and build trust across communities.
This initiative stands as the first serious, large-scale attempt in the country to formalize the forest-based economy — a sector with vast untapped potential for state revenue generation, ecological sustainability, and livelihood transformation. It demonstrates the power of integrated action — where government facilitation, grassroots leadership, and market partnerships converge to build a more equitable and resilient rural economy.
Odisha Ushers in Landmark Women-led Forest Economy Model with First Formal Sal Seed Trade News Room Odisha.
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