Beside the forests of Similipal, in the quiet town of Baripada, a new story of women’s empowerment is taking shape. In villages surrounding Baripada, women are turning a humble local resource into a growing livelihood opportunity. Supported by the Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) and strengthened through Self Help Group (SHG) initiatives, women from villages such as Rangamatia, Goaldihi and Badsole are building skills, creating products, and gaining greater economic independence.
Surrounded by Sal forests and dotted with dams and natural wetlands, these villages offer an ideal environment for Sabai grass, which grows abundantly across the region. What was once simply part of the local ecology is now an important source of income. Women collect and process the grass before transforming it into a range of handcrafted products, including baskets, wall hangings, coasters, bags, storage solutions and home décor pieces.
Through OLM-led training and SHG-based initiatives, the women are learning new techniques, improving designs, understanding quality, and gaining the confidence to reach wider markets. Each group is developing its own identity and signature style, moving from handicrafts to sustainable micro-enterprises.
Their work has begun attracting interior designers, opening opportunities for sophisticated, high-end products alongside everyday utility items. Organised across several SHG groups, the women are now ready to move from local production to wholesale and retail markets — a journey that shows how local resources, traditional knowledge and collective action can create meaningful economic opportunities for rural women.
Connect with the SHG Groups For wholesale, retail, institutional or design collaborations, contact the participating SHG groups or browse indiaheritagehaat.com.
