Mahua Money: Forest women at the margins of India’s growth story

“Mahua phool jhar-jhar re, Sakham bhor me didi uthae re… Mahua amge jeevan re, Haat me dana bechae re…”

Come 5 a.m., before sunlight cuts through the night in Jharkhand’s forests, 38-year-old Sushila Munda is already at work. Barefoot, she walks beneath mahua trees, gathering flowers that have fallen overnight. By noon, she collects nearly 20 kilograms—by evening, most of it is sold at a price she does not control.

For generations, tribal women like Sushila have sustained the forest economy—collecting and processing minor forest produce (MFP) such as mahua, tamarind, lac and sal leaves. Yet, their labour remains undervalued, with earnings dictated by middlemen and limited access to formal markets.

Mahua, often called the “tree of life,” is both livelihood and lifeline. It provides food, medicine and vital income during lean agricultural months. According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, MFP supports millions of forest dwellers, with over 75% of tribal households in some regions depending on it.

DATA BOX: Mahua & Forest Economy (India)

~100 million people depend on MFP

75%+ tribal households rely partly on MFP

Up to 40% of annual income from forest produce

87 MFP items under the MSP scheme

MSP for mahua: ~Rs 30/kg | Market: Rs 45–Rs 60/kg

Rs 7,000+ crore procurement under MSP-MFP

3,000+ Van Dhan Vikas Kendras

10 lakh+ tribal gatherers linked

Key agency: TRIFED

JHARKHAND SNAPSHOT

Tribal population: 26%+ of state population. Major mahua belts: Khunti, Gumla, Simdega, West Singhbhum.

Thousands of women engaged in seasonal mahua collection.

Key support: SHGs under JSLPS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society).

Mahua income critical during March–June lean season.

Still, returns remain poor. Lack of storage and weak market linkages force distress sales. The gap between MSP and market price exposes the limits of policy on the ground.

On condition of anonymity, a senior state government officer familiar with the mahua trade acknowledged the structural imbalance.

“Tribal women do the hardest part of the value chain—collection and primary processing—but capture the least value. Middlemen continue to dominate aggregation and pricing,” the officer said.

“Schemes exist, but last-mile access is weak. Without local procurement and storage, women are forced into distress sales immediately after collection.”

Government initiatives have sought to correct this imbalance. The MSP for MFP scheme and TRIFED aim to ensure fair pricing. Self-Help Groups under JSLPS and the National Rural Livelihood Mission are helping women process and market produce collectively, while Van Dhan centres promote value addition.

These efforts are beginning to shift the equation, giving tribal women better bargaining power and income stability. Yet, challenges—poor infrastructure, low awareness and uneven implementation—persist.

As India speaks of inclusive growth, the mahua economy offers a reality check. Tribal women are not merely collectors—they are custodians of traditional knowledge and key drivers of a sustainable rural economy.

Until the forest floor is linked directly to the market, India’s growth story will remain incomplete—and its most resilient workers, unseen.

“Mahua tale nache re didi,Raat bhar sugandh bahae re…Jangal amge maai re, Haat me daam kene na pae re…”

The writer is a Ranchi-based journalist writing on Jharkhand-based social issues; Views presented are personal.