Spice Trail

Around eighty percent of the population of Lohardaga district in Jharkhand depend upon agriculture. Cultivation is hence the default option for livelihood. With pace of life picking up even in rural areas, there is a growing demand for packaged items which make things more convenient. Seeing the demand for such items of consumption in the local market, the WSHG members decided to take up cash crop cultivation and packaging of spices. 

Activity

Cash crop cultivation and packaging of spices at Lohardaga district in Jharkhand

Nature of Intervention

NABARD sanctioned a grant assistance of Rs.4.90 lakh for training of 155 members from 22 WSHG of four villages, Rampur, Bakarni, Bhatkhijri and Irgaon under the Rampur and Bhatkhijri Panchayat under LEDP. Training was provided on scientific cultivation of cashcrops like turmeric, ginger, chili, coriander, methi, saunf, mustard and garlic and its proper uses under LEDP by Lohardaga Gram Swaraj Sanstha (LGSS). Exposure visit to Annapurna spice Industries in Lohardaga was conducted for understanding the grinding and packaging process. A Refresher Training was also organized for two days. The distributor for supply of raw materials has been arranged. Products are being marketed through FPO Vasudha Beej Utpadak producers company-Lohardaga and all beneficiaries are members of the FPO. Products are sold under the brand name ' Vishwas'. Till date, three units have been established. From the total 22 WSHG groups, 18 WSHGs had been sanctioned loan of Rs. 0.50 lakh each. The groups are investing the capital for the ongoing enterprise.

The Impact

Income - Rs.3000/- per beneficiary/ month.

The enterprise is in its initial days but the demand for their products is growing day by day. The total market is linked by the FPO and some members are also marketing on individual basis in the nearby hotels, general store, restaurants, fast food centres, AWC center and schools. As the demand for the products grow, the members are planning for the license for FSSAI in future. The bankers are willing to support the WSHGs seeing their better performance in the loan repayment. The members are oriented to maintaining quality of the products and development of better entrepreneurship skills.

Critical Determinants 

• Training on scientific methods.
• Exposure visits which provide hands-on experience of the activity to be taken up.
• Timely Credit

Source : Creating Livelihoods, Changing Lives