- Emphasis was placed on improving product branding and packaging, as well as preparing for exports to international markets.
- Discussions were held on elevating the ‘Dandak’ brand to new heights by integrating it with the ‘Chhattis-Kala’ brand; the Deputy Chief Minister encouraged the women.
- ‘Maa Danteshwari FPC’ has become the first women farmers’ producer company in the state to receive NPOP certification for forest produce.
Office-bearers and female members of the ‘Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company Limited’ met with Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development, Shri Vijay Sharma, today at the Dantewada Circuit House. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma congratulated the women on the company receiving organic certification for forest produce under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). During the meeting, the members presented a packet of rice under their company’s ‘Dandak’ brand to the Deputy Chief Minister. Shri Sharma held a detailed discussion with the women regarding the company’s activities, product sales, branding, packaging, and market potential.
Encouraging the women, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma stated that following the receipt of NPOP certification, it is now necessary to work in a planned manner to take ‘Dandak’ brand products to both national and international markets. He also discussed the potential for reaching a wider market and elevating the ‘Dandak’ brand by integrating it with Chhattisgarh’s ‘Chhattis-Kala’ brand. He urged the women to focus on enhancing product quality, attractive packaging, branding, and marketing systems, while also making the necessary preparations for exports abroad. Shri Sharma noted that there is significant potential for Bastar’s natural forest produce in international markets, and the benefits of these opportunities should reach local women and forest produce collectors. Shri Sharma stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is promoting livelihoods based on local resources for the development of Bastar. The achievement of the ‘Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company’ (Maa Danteshwari Women Farmers’ Producer Company) is a significant step in this direction. He added that efforts will be made to secure organic certification—in accordance with established standards—for agricultural and forest produce from villages in Bastar where chemical fertilizers have traditionally never been used. This will help local products access better markets and fetch fair prices, while also creating new employment opportunities for the youth.
- The state’s first NPOP-certified women farmers’ producer company
It is noteworthy that the ‘Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company Limited’ was established in Dantewada district in 2023 under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), known locally as ‘Bihan’. The company has recently received NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) certification for its forest produce. It is the first farmers’ producer company in the state, formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, to receive this certification for forest produce. This opens up possibilities for the company’s certified organic forest produce to reach both major national markets and international markets.
Currently, 1,080 women shareholders are directly associated with the company. Additionally, 2,100 women forest-produce collectors—affiliated with 60 producer groups in the district—are also benefiting from the company’s activities. Through this company, women are gaining livelihood opportunities related to the collection, procurement, sale, value addition, and marketing of forest produce. Over the past two years, the company has recorded a turnover exceeding one crore rupees.
- ‘Dandak Brand’ gives a new identity to local products
To establish a distinct market identity for local products, the ‘Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company’ has launched the ‘Dandak Brand’. Under this initiative, various local products—including HMT, Lal Chudi, and Basmati rice, as well as neem flowers, dried mango powder (amchur), tamarind, mahua, kodo, kutki, and ragi—are being marketed through value addition, branding, and packaging. The company has also established a dedicated sales outlet in Dantewada, where these local products are made available under one roof.
Smt. Vimla Thakur, Chairperson of the company, noted that previously, forest produce collected by women was primarily sold in local markets. With the launch of the ‘Dandak’ brand—supported by the ‘Bihan’ mission—and the recent attainment of NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) certification, there is great enthusiasm among the women. She expressed optimism that their products can now reach national and international markets, enabling them to secure better prices.
Present on the occasion were MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, Zila Panchayat President Shri Nandlal Mudami, Collector Shri Devesh Kumar Dhruv, and Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Shri M. Bhargav. Also in attendance were Smt. Vimla Thakur (Chairperson), Smt. Sarita Thakur (Treasurer), and Smt. Meena Thakur (Secretary) of the Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company (Maa Danteshwari Women Farmers’ Producer Company), along with other members.