A Munich-based Odia woman has been instrumental in supporting village women in the Pallahara sub-division of Angul district to produce and market mango and berry pickles. The products are now listed on an e-commerce platform and sold in markets across Bhubaneswar, Konark, and local shops near their village.
From Waste to Wealth
Saismita Das, a senior manager at PwC originally from Sahargurjang village, observed that mangoes grown widely in her native area often went to waste or were sold at very low prices. Determined to change this, she decided to involve local women in making pickles to fetch a higher price for the fruit. "My aim was to economically empower women," said Saismita, who now primarily oversees the marketing of the products.
Empowering Women Through Pickle Making
Currently, 11 women from the Maa Durga Self-help Group (SHG) are engaged in cutting, cleaning, and drying mangoes before turning them into pickles. Each woman earns between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 per season. The group started pickle-making in 2024, and their production of sun-dried mango pickle has increased from 1 to 1.5 quintals in the first year to 7 to 8 quintals this year. "At home, we used to prepare large quantities of mango pickle. We now transfer our skills to earn," said Jharanabala Pradhan, one of the SHG members.
Scaling Up and Diversifying
For packaging, Saismita procured glass bottles from Delhi and enlisted her friend Ritanjali Sethy, an engineer, to oversee the process. This year, the SHG members also produced sweet berry pickle for the first time. "We intend to make turmeric and masala powders along with badi and papad," said Kumudini Mohanta, another SHG member.
The initiative not only prevents wastage of mangoes but also provides a sustainable source of income for rural women, fostering economic independence and skill development. The group plans to expand their product range in the coming seasons.
