Malkangiri : Following the Mahua season, Tola fruit has now started to appear in the tribal-dominated district of Malkangiri, Odisha. Trees are currently abundant with ripe Tola, and the fruits have begun to fall to the ground.
This seasonal change has brought a wave of happiness among Adivasi (tribal) and forest-dwelling communities. Once collected, these fruits are either processed to extract oil at home or sold in markets to earn money for household essentials like cooking oil and salt. For nearly three months, Tola becomes a source of income for these communities.
However, due to a lack of government regulation or support, collectors often suffer losses. Traders from neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh arrive with vehicles and purchase Tola at very low prices from the villages, only to sell them outside at much higher rates, making huge profits.
Local villagers say that traders buy a basket of kernels for just ₹20–₹25, resulting in financial loss for collectors. Residents of Sindhimala village near the town — such as Manmohan Madi, Pramila Madi, Debe Madkami, and Irme Madkami — report that there are abundant Mahua trees in the district. Besides Tola, they collect various forest products year-round like Kendu leaves, Sal leaves, Siali leaves, Mahua, Tola, Harida, Bahada, Amla, tamarind, jackfruit, and even medicinal herbs like cheramuli, which they sell to sustain their families.
Currently, men and women along with children are engaged in Tola collection. It is labor-intensive — starting with gathering the fruit, separating the pulp from the kernel (seed), and drying the seeds under the sun. Once dried, seeds are either:
Crushed traditionally on stones wrapped in white cloth with wooden pressing tools to extract oil, or
Boiled and filtered to obtain clean oil.
Most tribal households still use Tola oil in their daily lives — from cooking to other essential uses. After keeping enough oil for personal use for the year, they barter the leftover oil or seeds in the market for rice, salt, or other groceries.
From Tola fruits, even soap and organic manure are made, increasing its demand in outside markets. However, due to no government support or market linkage, tribals are forced to sell to outsiders at throwaway prices, causing huge losses.
Villagers have demanded that the government and district administration take urgent steps to address this issue by offering better procurement systems and price protections for Tola and Tola oil.