Forest Flowers to Rural Power: Tribal Entrepreneurship around Mahua

Authors

  • Manoj Kumar Samantray State Lead, Atmashakti Trust

Keywords:

Mahua, Tribal Entrepreneurship, Forest Based Livelihood, Mahua Liquor and Excise Laws, Tribal Cooperatives, Agroforestry

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of culture, policy, and enterprise in tribal Odisha through the lens of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), a forest flower of deep economic, ecological, and spiritual importance. For over sixty tribal communities in Odisha, Mahua is not just a non-timber forest product; it is food, medicine, ritual, and resistance. Despite this, state laws forbid traditional brewing practices, while policy implementation under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and PESA remains uneven, marginalizing the very communities these laws aim to empower.

Drawing on literature, field stories, and policy reviews, this paper examines Mahua-based enterprises as a pathway to sustainable, gender-inclusive tribal entrepreneurship. It highlights the central role of tribal women in harvesting, processing, and brewing Mahua, and the emergence of SHGs and cooperatives that challenge exploitative market systems. Case studies, including Kantapada village in Nuapada, illustrate how women like Banita Majhi have reclaimed agency by organizing, setting fair prices, and exploring value-added products.

Policy recommendations include legal reforms to decriminalize Mahua liquor, support for SHGs and FPOs, tribal enterprise funds prioritizing women, branding assistance, and ecological sustainability through agroforestry. The study concludes that Mahua, when supported by enabling frameworks, can serve as a culturally rooted, economically viable anchor for dignified tribal livelihoods, transforming a forest flower into a symbol of market power and indigenous pride.

Author Biography

Manoj Kumar Samantray, State Lead, Atmashakti Trust

Manoj Kumar Samantray holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Utkal University and is currently pursuing an Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIITB).

 He has brought over 18 years of extensive experience in the social development sector to Atmashakti Trust since he joined in 2016. His expertise lies in leading and managing multidisciplinary programs across Disaster Risk Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Convergence, Networking, and Strategic Liaising with government departments and other key stakeholders.

Prior to his role at Atmashakti, Manoj contributed to several organizations including IPE Global Ltd., CENDERT, XIMB, Seba Dharitree, CORD, and SRISTI. During his tenure at IPE Global Ltd., he played a pivotal role in offering operational and technical support to the Panchayati Raj Department and the Department of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Government of Odisha. His contributions were instrumental in advancing reforms in key public welfare programs such as MGNREGA, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), and the Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS).

His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to inclusive development, evidence-based planning, and creating scalable impact through collaborative governance and data-driven insights.

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Published

2025-07-30

How to Cite

Kumar Samantray, M. (2025). Forest Flowers to Rural Power: Tribal Entrepreneurship around Mahua. Social Innovations Journal, 31. Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/10648

Issue

Vol. 31 (2025): Unseen Powerhouses: The Rise of Indigenous Enterprise

Section

Forest Economies & Circular Enterprises

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Manoj Kumar Samantray (Author)

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