27.03.26

Toranadevi Jungle Producer Company Holds Its First Annual General Meeting in Nandurbar, Maharashtra

The First Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Toranadevi Jungle Producer Company Limited was held on 25 March 2026 at Toranmal, Nandurbar district. The meeting brought together approximately 300 women shareholders and 70 male participants from 18 villages, alongside senior government officials, bamboo industry representatives, and development sector partners — marking an important institutional milestone for the company.

Toranadevi Jungle Producer Company Limited was established to promote sustainable forest-based livelihoods among tribal communities in Nandurbar. The company operates on a collective ownership model in which women shareholders participate in forest resource management, enterprise development, and value chain activities — focusing primarily on bamboo, along with other seasonal forest products, including such as Hirda (Terminalia chebula), Beheda (Terminalia bellirica), and Chironji (Buchanania lanzan).

Women shareholders from 18 villages attended the AGM, including Nagziri, Kotbandhani, Legapani, Kelapani, Toranmal, Burumpada, Khadki, Zapi, Sindhidigar, Bhadal, Udadya, Velkhedi, Trishul, Chandasurya, Boradi, Damane, Kathi, and Bodke. CFRMC members, Sarpanchs, and village institution representatives also participated. The company's ability to independently mobilise sponsorship support — from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Development Support Centre, Pioneer Seeds, Gangotree Foundation, and Phoenix Foundation — ensured that transportation costs for women travelling from across these villages were covered, enabling broad and inclusive participation.

The meeting was opened by Ms. Nirmala Bhil, President and Director of the company, who reflected on the journey since formation and emphasised the importance of collective ownership by women shareholders. The Chief Guest, Mr. Nandkumar Verma, Director General of MNREGA, addressed the gathering and highlighted opportunities for linking community forest enterprises with government rural development programmes. Block Development Office officials discussed plantation and water body development opportunities under MNREGA-supported schemes. Bamboo market expert Mr. Sanjeev Karpe presented an overview of current pricing dynamics and the importance of value addition and collective marketing. Scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra shared inputs on complementary livelihood opportunities in vegetable cultivation and medicinal plant farming.

Achievements and Future Plans

The AGM presented the company's first operational results. In collaboration with the Legapani CFRMC, a bamboo harvesting operation conducted over seven days generated employment for 23 households — the first bamboo sale from the Legapani CFR area, and the first such sale in Maharashtra through a tribal women-owned Producer Company.

Looking ahead, the company currently has 300 women members from 13 villages and plans to expand membership to over 1,000 women across 18 villages. Key priorities include expanding bamboo plantations, strengthening market linkages, promoting value addition, and building the capacity of women shareholders through training and exposure visits.