In the dense forests of Kannad Gaon, a small tribal village in Gondiya district, lived a determined woman named Manisha. Manisha was the leader of a Self-Help Group (SHG), she had trained nearly 40 women from 35 nearby tribal villages, empowering them with skills and hope for a better future.

The forests around them were rich with mahua flowers, a traditional ingredient used by their ancestors for its medicinal and nutritional benefits.

Manisha had a vision to create a women-led tribal enterprise that would produce authentic traditional and healthy food products sourcing the traditional ingredients. She and her group began making mahua ladoos, barfis, and jellies, hoping to sell them to a larger market. 

However, they soon faced a big challenge: low demand..!

The villagers and tribals were accustomed to fermenting mahua to make alcohol due to its natural sweetness and intoxicating properties. Manisha realized she had to change perceptions and educate people about the nutritional power of mahua which was rich in iron, calcium, and essential minerals, perfect for fighting malnutrition and anemia which was prevalent in their tribal population.

Just when she was struggling to find a market, a ray of hope appeared. The TREEI Foundation in Pune, was running a “Nutrition for All” project, which was about bringing back the superfood that is Mahua ladoos to the women of urban pune, it consisted of distributing mahua ladoos fortified with iron and calcium to combat anemia in rural and urban areas. As they planned Phase 2 of their project, they needed a reliable supplier.

When TREEI’s team and their director discovered Manisha’s SHG and their dedication to tribal entrepreneurship, they immediately reached out. Excited and nervous, Manisha and her group accepted their first big order. The women worked the whole day, ensuring every ladoo was made with perfection, pure, nutritious, and delicious.

Finally, the day came when the first lot of orders was completed and dispatched. Manisha’s eyes filled with tears of pride that her dream of tribal women’s unity and entrepreneurship had come true. The SHG was no longer just a small group; they were now official suppliers for a major nutrition initiative.

With this success, Manisha’s confidence grew. She began conducting awareness sessions in nearby villages. Slowly, the perception started changing. More women joined her SHG, and many tribal women received their first profit from their tribal SHG group. 

The Treei Foundation’s partnership had given them a platform, but it was Manisha’s determination and the unity of tribal women that turned their struggle into a success story.

Today, in the heart of Gondiya’s forests, a silent revolution blooms along with the mahua flowers!

With perseverance, unity, and the right opportunity, even the most marginalized communities can create a lasting impact.