Guwahati: Nearly 50 tribal women in the border village of Hahim are finding new financial independence by turning forest resources into commercial products. Through the Van Dhan Value Addition Programme, part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, these women are learning to process goods like honey, medicinal herbs, and jackfruit for broader market appeal.
The training initiative is a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India, and the Assam Plain Tribes Development Corporation. Participants now create value-added items such as soaps, incense sticks, and bakery products, moving beyond the traditional practice of selling raw materials for household use.
Instructors focused on teaching modern packaging, branding, and marketing techniques to help participants leverage their existing knowledge of the forest. Trainer Renu Deuri noted that the women quickly grasped how to turn their local expertise into viable business opportunities.
For participants like Anamika Rabha, the project provides a sense of confidence and a roadmap for long-term planning. The women are now exploring the formation of self-help groups to scale their production and are sharing these skills with the next generation, fostering a growing sense of optimism in the region.
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