Palm Leaf Craft Initiative Empowers Women in Dhenkanal Village

Meramandali (Dhenkanal): A quiet yet impactful transformation is taking place in Sanjapada village under Hindol block of Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, where women are turning traditional palm leaf resources into sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The region, long known for its abundance of palm trees, has historically used palm leaves for cultural and religious purposes, including manuscripts, horoscopes, and artistic depictions of epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. However, their economic potential remained largely untapped until recently.

The shift was driven by the Tata Steel Foundation under its Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (WEE) project. As part of the initiative, a four-month training programme on palm leaf value addition was conducted for 25 women associated with the Gruhalaxami Cooperative Society in Sanjapada Panchayat.

During the training, participants learned to craft a variety of products such as coasters, bookmarks, and stitched palm leaf mats. Alongside skill development, the programme also offered financial exposure, with each participant earning ₹3,000 during the training period—marking a first source of independent income for many.

Encouraged by the progress, the women came together to form the Jagannath Producer Group in December 2025, in convergence with Mission Shakti. The collective aims to strengthen market linkages and scale up their enterprise.

The group’s efforts gained recognition during the Dhenkanal Mahotsav held from December 20 to 24, 2025, where they showcased their products through a live demonstration stall. Their work received appreciation from visitors and officials, earning them an award in the “Innovative Business Idea” category along with a cash prize of ₹10,000.

Beyond economic benefits, the initiative has brought a significant shift in social dynamics, enabling women to move beyond traditional homemaker roles and emerge as skilled artisans and budding entrepreneurs.

“This initiative has helped us realise the value of resources available around us. We are now more confident and hopeful about building a better future for our families,” said Mamta Gadnayak, a member of the Gruhalaxmi Cooperative Society.

Another participant, Smita Biswal, described the experience as transformative. “From learning a new craft to earning my own income, I feel empowered and motivated to grow further and support other women in our community,” she said.

The initiative highlights how focused skill development and institutional support can unlock the economic potential of traditional resources while promoting women-led entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.