Raipur: In a historic move towards sustainable development and women’s empowerment among forest dwellers, Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation, IIM Raipur, and Kendriya Bhandar have joined forces through a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the promotion of Chhattisgarh Herbals.
As part of this MoU, Chhattisgarh Herbals products will now be available at all Kendriya Bhandar stores of the Central Government Employees Co-operative, marking a significant milestone for forest-dwelling rural women and forest collectors. The collaboration aims to enhance economic opportunities for self-help groups in the state and empower women to achieve self-reliance.
Chhattisgarh Herbals, poised to become India’s first minor forest produce-based brand, will bring the natural purity of the state’s forests to the entire country. Forest dwellers, who diligently craft these products with dedication and faith, will now gain wider recognition and access to a nationwide market, opening up new avenues for additional income.
To maximize the reach and sales of Chhattisgarh Herbals products, IIM Raipur will provide retail management training to Kendriya Bhandar employees. The expertise of IIM Raipur will prove invaluable in bolstering the success of this initiative.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s vision and the guidance of Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar have been instrumental in ensuring effective arrangements for the collection, processing, and marketing of minor forest produce in the state.
Anil Rai, the Managing Director of CGMFP Federation, expressed immense pride in the collaboration of three government organizations to promote Chhattisgarh Herbals, a brand championed by rural women. The nationwide availability of these products will financially empower the women in self-help groups.
Dr. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director of IIM Raipur, affirmed their commitment to the prosperity of Chhattisgarh’s tribals, vowing to continuously improve their efforts in collaboration with Kendriya Bhandar and the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Managing Director of Kendriya Bhandar, viewed this partnership as a golden opportunity for the country, as the products created by Chhattisgarh’s tribal communities will now be accessible nationwide. With the expertise of IIM Raipur, the employees of Kendriya Bhandar will be equipped to effectively promote and sell Chhattisgarh Herbals products, empowering countless forest dwellers economically.
