High-Quality Mahua Flowers Bring New Income Opportunities to Betul Villages

Korku tribals in Ratamati village, Betul district in Madhya Pradesh, are earning a new income stream by collecting high-quality mahua flowers that yield a premium price. Traditionally collected by hand, the tribal workers can now gather the same quantity in just 15 to 20 minutes, thanks to nets that are spread on the forest floor. The nets not only make collection faster and more efficient, but also keep the flowers from becoming contaminated by contact with the ground. High-quality mahua flowers are used to make food products, oil, and beverages like mahua tea, which is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve stress. The Madhya Pradesh forest department is supporting the initiative and teamed up with UK-based company OForest to produce 200 tons of the flowers for international export. The project has offered the tribals a lucrative alternative to brewing illegal mahua liquor in local rural areas and provided employment for those who previously worked in neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan. By collecting the flowers through designated committees, the Madhya Pradesh government hopes to reduce criminal activity and migration in pursuit of work.