05.03.26

Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company Holds First Annual General Meeting in Simdega, Jharkhand

The first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company was held on 2 March 2026 at the Lachragarh Indoor Stadium in Lachragarh village, Kolebira block, Simdega district, Jharkhand. The event marked an important milestone for the company and brought together more than 1,600 participants, including approximately 1,200 shareholders, elected representatives, corporate partners, and community leaders.

The gathering was attended by Shri Kalicharan Munda, Member of Parliament (MP), Khunti Lok Sabha constituency; Shri Naman Bixal Kongari, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Kolebira Assembly constituency; Smt. Rose Pratima Soreng, District President, Zila Parishad Simdega; Ajay Ekka, Zila Parishad member from Thethaitangar; and Pradeep Toppo of the Sanyukt Aadivasi Morcha. Representatives from corporate partners, including AAK India, FarMart, and the State Bank of India (SBI), Bano Branch, were also present, along with Gram Pradhans, Community Forest Resource Management Committee (CFRMC) members, and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives.

Collective Support for the Event

What made the AGM particularly remarkable was the collective effort behind its organisation. The company mobilised approximately ₹1.6 lakh through contributions from elected representatives, Gram Sabhas, the Institute of Community Forest Governance, educational institutions, local businesses, and institutional partners including AAK India, FarMart, and SBI Bano Branch. Additional funds were raised through stalls allocated at the venue.

These contributions helped cover travel, food, and logistical arrangements for shareholders travelling from three blocks, ensuring that a large number of women shareholders could participate in the meeting.

Reviewing Progress and Recognising Leadership

During the AGM, the Board of Directors presented the company’s financial and operational performance over the past year. Share certificates were distributed to representative shareholders during the event, while the remaining certificates are expected to be issued later this month.

Women shareholders who demonstrated strong leadership in sal seed procurement and shareholder mobilisation during the past year were also recognised for their contributions.

Plans for Expansion

Members collectively outlined targets for the coming year. The company plans to expand procurement of several non-timber forest products, including chironji (Buchanania lanzan), sarai or sal (Shorea robusta), karanj (Pongamia pinnata), harra (Terminalia chebula), and behera (Terminalia bellirica). It also aims to increase its shareholder base to 5,000 members and scale its annual turnover to more than ₹2 crores.

Strengthening Community Forest Enterprises

The process of organising the AGM itself became a valuable learning experience for women members, who engaged with government officials, institutions, and community networks while planning the event. The gathering demonstrated how community-owned forest enterprises can bring together multiple stakeholders to support sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the local forest economy.

The experience of the Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company highlights the potential of women-led collective enterprises to build strong market linkages while ensuring that forest resources continue to support community livelihoods.