NEW DELHI, 21st MARCH 2022: Udan Mahila Krishak Producer Company, Self-Help Group of Chhattisgarh’s tribal women has been awarded the “Women entrepreneurs Excellence Award in food product” by the Ministry of Micro, small and medium enterprises for their outstanding work in the field of food processing.

The award was presented by Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State for MSME, for the manufacture of agricultural food products and women entrepreneurship.
The award intends to provide public recognition for the outstanding performance of tribal women working in food processing units besides incorporating a sense of pride amongst the group members.
The award has been received by Mr. Siddharth Pandey, a consultant on behalf of the women’s group.
The Knowledge Chamber of commerce and Industries of India have organized a $5 trillion economy investment and business summit cum award ceremony in which various awards have been given in sectors such as food processing, agri and dairy business as these are the backbone of the Indian economy.
Ministry of small and medium enterprises is emphasizing on Agro processing as it plays a decisive role on the development transformation of the Indian economy. Agriculture has an important role to play in the development of the nation and India today need a food processing revolution, which will accelerate the development of the economy. India’s food ecosystem has a lot of potential and this can lead to a triple growth in retail trade.
The women of tribal-dominated kondagaon district have formed Udaan Mahila Krishak Producer Company which manufactures and sells agricultural food products under the brand name Kondanaar. There are 10 Board of Directors in the organization and more than 30 women self-help groups are involved in this.
The SHG group has been involved in a number of activities such as processing of pickles, tamarind chutney, cold pressed coconut oil, grounded species and handmade cookies. The organization comes under National Rural Livelihood Mission in which all the directors are tribal women of Kondagaon district.
The products from start to finish are made by the tribal’s, especially the women. The products are produced in small batches since they are all made manually. This helps them to remain fresh without any use of preservatives and chemicals.
Kondagaon Collector Pushpendra Meena said that regular employment has been ensured to more than 200 tribal women through this organization. Women’s working here gets a minimum salary of Rs.7500 per month.
“Kondanaar is becoming a brand, not only in India but across the world. The products of Konadanaar were also displayed at the Dubai expo through virtual platform”, Pushpendra Meena added further.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while expressing happiness on receiving the award said, “Tribal women have set an example by becoming entrepreneurs. Their dedication and perseverance has given a new identity to the traditional taste.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who visited Raipur last month, had also tasted kondanaar food in which he praised the Tikhur milkshake.