Nuapada, Sept. 8 (UDN): Thirty women from the Ganga Producer Group in Odisha’s Nuapada district are turning locally available leaves into a source of steady income, producing eco-friendly plates and bowls as an alternative to single-use plastic products.
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The women-led enterprise has been established with support from the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and equipped with modern machinery to improve production and marketability.
The unit was formally inaugurated by Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik.
From traditional practice to modern enterprise
Leaf plates and bowls have traditionally been used in several parts of rural Odisha. The Ganga Producer Group has taken the practice a step further by introducing machinery and organised production, turning it into a structured livelihood activity.
The initiative allows the participating women to make use of naturally available resources while developing an income-generating enterprise within their community.
Women earn up to Rs 25,000 a month
The products are being marketed through local markets, hotels and government programmes, providing the group with access to a range of customers.
According to the department, women associated with the initiative are earning around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, strengthening their financial independence and household incomes.
The availability of established markets has also helped the group move beyond small-scale production and develop the activity as a sustainable rural enterprise.
Eco-friendly alternative to plastic
Apart from creating employment, the initiative promotes the use of biodegradable leaf-based products and supports efforts to reduce dependence on single-use plastic.
By combining traditional knowledge with modern equipment and institutional support, the enterprise demonstrates how locally available natural resources can be converted into commercially viable products.
Model for rural women-led enterprises
The Ganga Producer Group’s initiative brings together women’s economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and rural enterprise development.
The success of the venture could encourage other rural communities to explore similar livelihood models that utilise local resources while creating sustainable income opportunities.