more-inBuoyed by the success of their trade with a West Bengal-based company, 17 gram sabhas in Odisha’s Kalahandi district have now started negotiating directly with companies for the sale of tendu leaves. “Villagers came out in large number and made a contribution of ₹2.5 lakh for bush cutting this season. After collection and processing of the tendu leaves, we will sell those directly to the companies,” said Kunja Bihari Chandan, who has been leading a federation of gram sabhas in Kalahandi. Last year, six gram sabhas sold a band of 60 leaves to a bidi company for ₹7.50. Six gram sabhas had earned ₹13.47 lakh by selling tendu leaves directly to a company.

Source: The Hindu April 13, 2018 04:28 UTC