15.03.25
Pangi Valley's First Women-Led Producer Company Completes Its First Hazelnut Sale
The Pir Panjal Jungle Producer Company (PPJPC) Limited has successfully completed its first commercial hazelnut sale, marking a pivotal moment for the women-led forest economy in Pangi Valley. This initiative is a major step towards empowering women through organised forest-based enterprises, enabling them to aggregate, process, and market non-timber forest products while ensuring fair pricing, sustainable harvesting, and greater visibility in commercial supply chains.
Collection and Processing: Mobilizing Women for a Collective Effort
The sale involved a total of 162.5 kg of wild hazelnuts, carefully sourced from multiple villages across Pangi Valley. Women producers were actively engaged in the collection, sorting, grading, and packaging process, ensuring that only high-quality produce was included. Owing to the remote location and difficult terrain, aggregating the produce required coordinated efforts from producer groups across 17 villages, supported by the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) team.
To prevent damage and preserve freshness, locally available packaging materials, such as pine needles and cones, were used as natural cushioning. This method not only protected the hazelnuts during transit but also reinforced the initiative’s sustainable approach, minimising dependency on plastic-based packaging.
Because of the previous challenges of weight discrepancies during transit, extra precautions were taken to ensure accuracy in weighing. The shipment was meticulously packed into nine large boxes, containing:
Twenty-six 5 kg containers
Nine 3 kg containers
One 1 kg container
Upon arrival at the Dry Fruitz Basket (DFB) in Hyderabad, the initial recorded weight was 152 kg, which was considerably lower than expected. Considering prior unexplained weight loss during transport, an immediate reweighing was conducted. The verification process revealed an error in estimating the empty container weights, leading to the discrepancy. After correction, the actual net weight was confirmed as 163.15 kg, ensuring that PPJPC received fair compensation for the produce.
Despite minor challenges, including three damaged containers due to rough handling in transit, the hazelnuts remained intact and of premium quality, suggesting a careful packaging process carried out by the PPJPC members.
Ensuring Fair Weighing and Transparent Transactions
Beyond completion of the sale, this transaction has opened avenues for future commercial partnerships and enhanced market access. The superior quality of Pangi Valley hazelnuts has generated strong buyer interest, with a confirmed demand of 500 kg for the next season.
To strengthen consumer awareness and branding, a product brochure is currently being developed to showcase the entire process, from collection to final packaging. Furthermore, the buyer has promised to dedicate a special shelf for the Pangi Valley hazelnuts at the retail store, further enhancing product visibility and recognition.
Additionally, a custom product label featuring the PPJPC brand name has been affixed to the packaged hazelnuts, establishing PPJPC as a credible supplier. This will play a crucial role in building consumer trust and expanding PPJPC’s market presence for future sales, not only of hazelnuts but also other seasonal forest products (SFPs).
Expanding Market Access: A Step Toward Long-Term Growth
Financial Sustainability and Institutional Strengthening
To maintain financial transparency and efficiency, payment for the sale will be processed once PPJPC’s bank account and Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration are finalised. This will ensure that all transactions are routed through official channels, reinforcing accountability and supporting long-term financial sustainability.
This milestone marks a transformational shift in how women engage with forest-based economies in Pangi Valley. By organising as a formal producer company, they have gained direct access to markets, eliminating middlemen and ensuring better price realisation for their produce. The success of this first sale validates the viability of a women-led, community-driven enterprise model that can be replicated for other forest products.
With the successful completion of its first sale, PPJPC is now well-positioned to scale its operations, diversify its product range, and strengthen its market presence. The next phase of growth will focus on increasing production capacity, expanding processing infrastructure, and securing long-term buyer agreements.
The women of PPJPC have not only demonstrated their ability to run a successful enterprise but have also laid the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive forest economy. Their journey marks a significant step towards financial independence and ecological stewardship, showcasing how community-driven enterprises can foster economic resilience while promoting sustainable resource management.