Van Dhan Yojana empowers women entrepreneurs through value addition, skill development and sustainable livelihoods
Raipur. Mahua, once sold primarily as raw forest produce, is now emerging as a powerful source of income and self-reliance for rural and tribal women in Chhattisgarh. Through _Van Dhan Vikas Kendra_ Scheme, women are being trained to transform mahua into value-added products, enabling them to earn higher incomes and establish themselves as successful entrepreneurs.
_Van Dhan Yojana,_ an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED launched in 2018, aims to train tribal communities engaged in the collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), promote value addition to forest-based products and create sustainable livelihood opportunities by nurturing them into entrepreneurs.
Korinbhattha Van Dhan Vikas Kendra emerges as a model of success
Women associated with the Korinbhattha Van Dhan Vikas Kendra in Rajnandgaon district have emerged as a shining example of the scheme’s impact. Earlier, they were engaged only in collecting mahua flowers. Following specialised training, they are now producing a range of value-added products, including mahua laddoos, cookies, energy bars, squash and several other consumer products.
With modern processing techniques and attractive packaging, these products have gained increasing acceptance in the market, significantly enhancing the women’s earning potential.
Skill development paving the way for entrepreneurship
_Van Dhan Vikas Kendra_ provides comprehensive training that goes beyond product preparation. Women are also equipped with skills in quality control, hygienic production, packaging, labelling, storage and marketing, enabling them to manufacture products that meet market standards while securing better prices for their produce.
Value addition creates employment and strengthens livelihoods
Value addition has substantially enhanced both the utility and market value of mahua, generating new employment opportunities at the local level. The initiative has led to a significant rise in women’s incomes, strengthening the economic well-being of their families.
By processing both mahua flowers and seeds into products such as laddoos, cookies, jam and energy bars, instead of selling raw mahua, women in rural and tribal areas have multiplied their earnings. The initiative has also created new local employment opportunities and strengthened sustainable livelihood options within their communities.
‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ expands market access
The products are being marketed under the ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ brand, providing rural women with access to wider markets while giving forest-based products a distinct identity.
A unique initiative of the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation, Chhattisgarh Herbals promotes the production and sale of natural and pure forest-based products such as forest honey, aloe vera gel, herbal juices, mahua products, Ayurvedic powders and medicinal oils, all prepared by women Self-Help Groups. The initiative seeks to generate sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities and local forest dwellers while promoting the commercial value of forest produce.
A step towards self-reliance
The success of the women of Korinbhattha demonstrates that with the right blend of training, modern technology and marketing support, forest resources can become a strong foundation for employment, entrepreneurship and economic prosperity.
By empowering women with skills, market access and sustainable livelihood opportunities, the _Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Scheme_ is not only fostering self-reliance but also giving fresh momentum to the rural economy of Chhattisgarh.
