23.03.26
Sulabhaa: Building Women-Owned Forest Based Community Enterprises Across Odisha
On March 20, 2026, IoFE reached a significant milestone in Odisha — the successful incorporation of all 30 Green Shakti Producer Companies (GSPCs) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Spread across six districts — Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri — the incorporations mark the transition from programme design to active, legally constituted community enterprises.
The 30 incorporations were completed over a period of twelve months, beginning in March 2025. The companies are:
Mayurbhanj: Duarasuni, Baba Kalapahada, Sagen Sakam, Sarisarjam Baha, and Jib Jiali Green Shakti Producer Companies
Keonjhar: Kaijala, Bisiri Thakurani, Banadurga, and Patarani Green Shakti Producer Companies
Rayagada: Rasigumi, Pondagada, and Lanjia Saora Green Shakti Producer Companies
Nabarangpur: Mendadongri, Bhairaghumar, Jamukona, and Durka Dongri Green Shakti Producer Companies
Koraput: Saptadhara and Ranitaraga Green Shakti Producer Companies
Malkangiri: Bonda Remolena Ungam, Tadikrew, Band Kariyani, and Darmetaraj Green Shakti Producer Companies
The Sulabhaa Context
These 30 companies are the institutional backbone of the Sulabhaa Green Business Enterprise Leadership Cohort — a first-of-its-kind programme launched jointly by the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, and IoFE at BIPP, ISB. Sulabhaa aims to establish 30 women-led, forest-based enterprises across these six districts, with a network of 300 women leaders at its core.
The programme combines hands-on experience in setting up and managing a Producer Company with structured training in financial literacy, leadership, business management, and sustainable use of natural resources. Each GSPC will receive initial working capital from the Government of Odisha to commence operations. The programme is anchored on four pillars: promoting formal women-led community enterprises, enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities, facilitating market integration, and advancing scalable and sustainable business models — aligning with SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work), and SDG 13 (climate action).
With all 30 companies now incorporated and training underway, the Sulabhaa programme is poised to move from institution-building to enterprise operations — creating a replicable model for women-led forest economies at scale.