Odisha Launches 'Green Shakti' with ISB to Boost Women-Led Forest Enterprises
A significant new program aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and leveraging Odisha's forest resources has been launched. The state government's Department of Mission Shakti has partnered with the renowned Indian School of Business (ISB), through its Bharti Institute of Public Policy, to introduce the ‘Green Shakti Producer Company Business Enterprise Leadership Cohort.’ This initiative promises to foster economic growth and sustainable livelihoods across several key districts.
Scope and Structure
The 'Green Shakti' program is designed to directly strengthen 30 women-led, forest-based enterprises. These businesses are strategically located across six districts known for their significant forest cover and tribal populations: Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
The core of the initiative involves establishing 30 distinct forest producer companies (FPCs). This structure creates a robust network, initially bringing together 300 women identified as leaders within these enterprises. The program has a clear timeline and target, aiming to engage over 1,000 primary producers within each company and ultimately make a positive impact on the lives of more than 30,000 women by August 2025.
Equipping Leaders for Success
To ensure these enterprises self sustain, a strong focus was laid on capacity building. A three-day planning and orientation workshop held at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar gathered more than 170 board members from the newly formed FPCs. The training covered crucial areas including financial literacy, effective leadership, business management principles, and sustainable resource utilization. Emphasis was also placed on ensuring fair distribution of benefits, integrating shareholders properly, and maintaining democratic decision-making processes within the companies. Training on accessing institutional finance and adhering to industry compliance standards were also key components.
Highlighting the program's potential, Shalini Pandit, IAS, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary of the Department of Mission Shakti, stated that the workshops are "tailored to empower women leaders with strategic business acumen, laying a foundation for collective development and societal progress in these regions."
Focusing on Market Opportunities
Beyond internal capacity, the initiative strategically addresses market access. A major point of discussion during the workshop was developing aggregation strategies. This involves pooling forest products, particularly seasonal ones like Sal seeds, for large-scale collective sales. Given the high domestic and international demand for Sal seeds (valued for their fat and oil content), this approach aims to maximize financial returns for the primary collectors while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the resource.
Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Director-cum-CEO of the Department of Mission Shakti, expressed confidence in the participants, stating, “This initiative brings together highly motivated women entrepreneurs... With the right knowledge and resources, these women could potentially become Crorepati Didis, leading successful forest enterprises.”
Expert Perspective and Government Support
Professor Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director at ISB's Bharti Institute of Public Policy, shared an optimistic outlook, remarking, “Over the next few months, we anticipate significant growth in Odisha’s forest economy, driving prosperity for people, profit, and the planet.” Crucially, the Odisha Government is backing this initiative with tangible financial support. Each of the 30 producer companies will receive initial working capital to help them commence operations smoothly and accelerate their growth plans.
Looking ahead
The 'Green Shakti' initiative stands out as a well-structured, collaborative effort combining government support, expert guidance, and targeted training. By focusing on women leaders, leveraging valuable forest resources like Sal seeds, and providing essential financial backing, the program aims to create a sustainable model for economic empowerment. It's about nurturing local entrepreneurship and along with Odisha's natural wealth into tangible benefits for thousands of women and their communities.
