Wild Himalayan Hazelnuts Travel to Hyderabad

18.12.25

Women primary collectors engaged in forest-based livelihoods play a central role in harvesting seasonal forest products (SFPs), yet they often receive only a small share of the income generated due to their reliance on traders and middlemen. In remote regions, such as the Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh, geographic isolation and limited market access further constrain income opportunities for women.

Against this backdrop, this report examines the hazelnut value chain in Pangi Valley, where wild Himalayan hazelnuts (Corylus ferox) are an important SFP with growing market demand. It documents how 19 women primary collectors, supported by the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE), participated in the first formal, collective sale of hazelnuts in October 2024. The sale was undertaken through the women-led Pir Panjal Jungle Producer Company, with hazelnuts supplied directly to a retail buyer in Hyderabad.

The report highlights our role in enabling collective aggregation, quality standardisation, and direct market engagement. It offers practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and market actors seeking to strengthen forest-based livelihoods, producer-led enterprises, and inclusive value chains.