Raipur: The officials and women members of Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Company Limited met Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Vijay Sharma at Dantewada Circuit House today. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma congratulated the women on the company getting organic certification under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for forest produce. During the meeting, the women members presented a packet of rice of their company's 'Dandak Brand' to Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma. Shri Sharma had a detailed discussion with the women regarding the company's activities, sale of products, branding, packaging and market potential.

Encouraging the women, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma said that after receiving NPOP certification, there is now a need to work in a planned manner towards taking the Dandak brand products to the national and international markets. During this, he also discussed the possibilities of providing a wider market to the Dandak brand by linking it with Chhattisgarh's 'Chhattiskala' brand and taking it to new heights. He asked the women to improve the quality of the products, attractive packaging, branding and marketing system, as well as make necessary preparations for export abroad. Mr. Sharma said that the natural forest produce of Bastar has good potential in the international markets. The benefits of these possibilities should reach the local women and forest produce collectors.

Mr. Sharma stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai, the state government is promoting livelihoods based on local resources for the development of Bastar. The achievement of the Maa Danteshwari Women Farmer Producer Company is an important step in this direction. He stated that efforts will be made to link agricultural products and forest produce from Bastar villages, where chemical fertilizers have not traditionally been used, with organic certification in accordance with established standards. This will provide better markets and fair prices for local products, as well as create new employment opportunities for youth.

*State's first NPOP certified women farmer producer company*

It is noteworthy that Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Producer Company Limited was formed in Dantewada district in 2023 under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan). The company recently received NPOP certification for forest produce. It is the first farmer producer company formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission in the state to receive this certification for forest produce production. This has increased the company's potential to reach both major markets within the country and international markets with certified organic forest produce.

Currently, 1,080 women shareholders are directly associated with the company. Additionally, 2,100 forest produce collectors affiliated with 60 producer groups in the district are also benefiting from the company's activities. Through the company, women are gaining livelihood opportunities related to forest produce collection, purchase and sale, value addition, and marketing. The company has achieved a turnover of over one crore rupees in the last two years.

*Local products are getting a new identity through the Dandak brand*

The Maa Danteshwari Women Farmer Producer Company has launched the "Dandak Brand" to give local products a distinct market identity. Under this initiative, various local products, including HMT, red bangle, and basmati rice, along with neem flowers, mango powder, tamarind, mahua, kodo, kutki, and ragi, are being value-added, branded, and packaged for marketing. The company has also opened a dedicated sales center in Dantewada, offering local products under one roof.

Company President Mrs. Vimala Thakur explained that previously, the forest produce collected by women was sold primarily in local markets. The launch of the Dandak brand in collaboration with the Bihan Mission and the subsequent receipt of NPOP certification has enthused women. She added that they now have greater hope of reaching national and international markets and receiving better prices for their products.

On this occasion, MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, District Panchayat Chairman Shri Nandlal Mudami, Collector Shri Devesh Kumar Dhruv, Chief Executive Officer of District Panchayat Shri M. Bhargava along with President of Maa Danteshwari Mahila Kisan Producer Company Smt. Vimala Thakur, Treasurer Smt. Sarita Thakur, Secretary Smt. Meena Thakur and other members were present.