Jackfruit Travels from Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh to Delhi: How Women Scripted a New Chapter in Self-Reliance
Rural women from the Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh have set a new precedent in the realms of self-reliance and women's empowerment. Thanks to the concerted efforts of women belonging to local producer groups, jackfruit (Kathal) from the district has, for the very first time, reached the Azadpur Mandi in Delhi—one of the country's largest fruit and vegetable markets.
This remarkable achievement was made possible through the "Landscape Restoration and Value Chain Market Development Project," an initiative jointly implemented by the Aajeevika Mission Sidhi and the Institute of Livelihood Research and Training.
For the women of the 'Ananya,' 'Mahima,' 'Rupa,' and 'Krishna' producer groups, this occasion was filled with immense pride and enthusiasm.
This initiative will open up new opportunities for rural women
Bobby Baiga, a member of the group, shared that with the support of this project, jackfruit from their region has reached a major national-level market for the first time. She added that this initiative would open up new opportunities for rural women and garner wider recognition for local produce.
Women of the groups now prepared to undertake regular supplies of jackfruit
This initiative will not only provide farmers and women's groups with access to better markets but will also lead to increased incomes and a strengthening of their economic standing. Buoyed by this success, the women of the groups are now prepared to undertake regular supplies of jackfruit.
Focus on developing a sustainable and expansive market
Speaking on the occasion, Pushpendra Singh, Project Manager at the Aajeevika Mission, stated that new dimensions for jackfruit production and marketing are being developed within the district, which will serve to bolster the rural economy. Meanwhile, Project Manager Himanshu Bhardwaj emphasized the importance of developing a sustainable and expansive market for jackfruit.
The event was attended by Rajiv Jaiswal, Rajbahor Diwan, Anita Gupta, and Savitri Singh, alongside members of the producer groups, including Manju Singh, Kalavati Singh, and Prinshu Singh.
This initiative by rural women is being hailed as a significant step toward connecting local produce with national markets, fostering women's empowerment, and building a self-reliant rural economy.