Non-Timber Forest Produce: Source of additional income for women in Jharkhand

The state of Jharkhand is blessed with an abundance of forests which are important sources of timber and non-timber forest produce (NTFPs) for the people. NTFPs are also an important means of income for the forest residents. But due to a lack of post-harvest technologies in gathering, cleaning, packing, storing, and processing, the majority of these items are wasted. Jharkhand, with its rich biodiversity and abundant forests, offers a unique opportunity for creating women entrepreneurship through the utilisation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). By equipping women with the necessary skills in NTFP collection, processing, and value addition, Girl Power Project can create a pathway for their economic independence, fostering local communities’ growth and environmental sustainability.

NTFPs such as Jackfruit, Mahua, Imli, and Jamun hold immense potential for value addition and the creation of diverse products. This article looks into the role of training programs in empowering women entrepreneurs in Jharkhand and imparting skills for the preparation of value-added products such as Jackfruit papad/atta/mixture, dust-free Mahua, candied Imli, and Jamun-based products like candies, fruit leather, and dried seed powder. By equipping women with the necessary skills and knowledge, these training programs enable them to start their own businesses, enhance their livelihoods, and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities.

Potential of NTFPs and Value Addition

Jharkhand boasts of a rich repository of NTFPs that are key drivers of the local economy. Non-Timber Forest Products encompass a diverse range of resources derived from forests, excluding timber. Jharkhand boasts a bountiful array of NTFPs, including Jackfruit, Mahua, Imli (tamarind), and Jamun (black plum). These NTFPs have been traditionally used for food consumption and medicinal purposes. However, by introducing value addition techniques, these NTFPs can be transformed into a variety of marketable products, opening new avenues for women entrepreneurship.

Jackfruit, a versatile fruit abundant in Jharkhand, can be transformed into a range of value-added products like papad, atta (flour), and chips. By developing techniques for preserving it and creating innovative recipes, women entrepreneurs can cater to the growing demand for healthy and unique food products. These products can be marketed locally as well as nationally, opening up new avenues for women entrepreneurs. Similarly ‘Mahua’ is a tree which is abundantly useful for the forest residents. Mahua flowers, fruits, branches and even leaves are used as food, cattle feed, fuel, art, medicine, etc but it is the locally brewed “Mahua” wine that it is known for. By imparting training on the collection and processing of dust-free Mahua, women can produce high-quality products such as oil, snacks, and beverages. These products can cater to a growing market of health-conscious consumers while providing a sustainable livelihood option for women in rural areas. By imparting training on sustainable collection methods and value addition techniques, women can tap into the market potential of Mahua-based products. Imli, or tamarind, is widely used in Indian cuisine and offers numerous possibilities for value addition. Women can be trained in making candies, which have a high demand among children and adults alike. Additionally, deseeded imli packed in cubes can be marketed as a convenient and ready-to-use ingredient in cooking, attracting busy households. Through training programs, women can learn to create candies, deseeded tamarind packed in cubes, and even processed tamarind pulp. These value-added products not only cater to the taste preferences of consumers but also extend the shelf life of tamarind which enhances its marketability. Jamun, another widely available NTFP, with its unique flavour and nutritional benefits, can be transformed into candies, fruit leather, and dried seed powder, which have a growing demand in both domestic and international markets. These products can cater to the growing market of healthy snacks and natural food additives, offering both economic opportunities and health benefits.

Training Programs and Skill Development

A major problem is that very little value addition happens at the village level. The majority of the time, raw goods are transported out of the village and big dealers from large markets take on value addition and advertising. However, trainings at the village or cluster level targeted towards value-added activities like cleaning, sorting, grading, drying, and packing may bring in a higher price for the women entrepreneurs in the villages.

Training programmes conducted by Girl Power Project focuses on various aspects, including sustainable harvesting practices, post-harvest management, quality control, product development, packaging, branding, marketing, and financial management. Women are trained in sustainable collection methods for NTFPs to ensure the long-term availability of these resources. Additionally, they are taught the techniques for processing and value addition to enhance the market value of the products. By acquiring these skills, women can establish small-scale enterprises and generate income for themselves and their families

The training programmes also include sessions on quality control and standardisation to ensure that the products meet the required standards and have consistent quality. Proper packaging and branding are essential to attract customers and create a distinct identity for the products in the market. Marketing skills, including identifying target markets, product promotion, and distribution strategies, are vital for women entrepreneurs to reach a wider customer base and establish market linkages which are being supported by Girl Power. Creating women entrepreneurs in Jharkhand through value addition of NTFPs, training requires a holistic approach that goes beyond skill development. It is essential to provide access to markets, information, and financial resources. Government agencies, NGOs, and private sector organisations should collaborate to offer market linkages, entrepreneurial support, and microfinance options. By facilitating these resources, women entrepreneurs can establish sustainable businesses and contribute to the local economy.

Expected Outcomes

Promoting women entrepreneurship in Jharkhand through NTFP training and value-added product creation has the potential to create a transformative impact. By harnessing the abundance of NTFPs, women can gain economic independence, contribute to sustainable development, and preserve the rich forest resources of the region for more useful purposes. With the right training, market access, and support, women entrepreneurs can flourish and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities thus developing women entrepreneurship in Jharkhand.