Over 2,700 tribal women in Sundargarh, India have become self-sufficient through the production of eco-friendly leaf plates and bowls made from Sal and Siali leaves. As part of the Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram (VDVK) initiative under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), these women have received training and support to use modern machines for leaf plate making, allowing for increased efficiency and higher production. The women collect the leaves from nearby jungles, dry them, stitch them by hand, and then use machines to produce the finished product. The VDVK units are currently producing over 1,500 plates and bowls per day, which are sold in local markets and various festivals, providing an increased income for these women. The aim of the ITDA is to convert the cottage trade into a Small & Micro Enterprise in the coming days.
Over 2,700 tribal women in Sundargarh, India have become self-sufficient through the production of eco-friendly leaf plates and bowls made from Sal and Siali leaves. As part of the Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram (VDVK) initiative under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), these women have received training and support to use modern machines for leaf plate making, allowing for increased efficiency and higher production. The women collect the leaves from nearby jungles, dry them, stitch them by hand, and then use machines to produce the finished product. The VDVK units are currently producing over 1,500 plates and bowls per day, which are sold in local markets and various festivals, providing an increased income for these women. The aim of the ITDA is to convert the cottage trade into a Small & Micro Enterprise in the coming days.
