Bastar Se Bazaar Tak: Empowering Tribal Women through a Forest-to-Fork Initiative

The Birth of Bastar Se Bazaar Tak

In 2020, Satendrasingh officially launched Bastar Se Bazaar Tak with a simple yet powerful goal: to provide tribal women with employment and financial independence by selling their produce directly to consumers under the brand Forest Naturals.

The Journey of Satendrasingh Lilhare: From Struggle to Success

Raised by his mother and aunt, Satendrasingh Lilhare grew up in a financially constrained household on the border of Chhattisgarh. The challenges faced by tribal women, including his own family, deeply impacted him. “My mother and aunt worked tirelessly on the farm, but we survived on a meagre income. Education was my only escape from this cycle,” he reflects.Despite moving away for higher studies, supported by scholarships, Satendrasingh always felt a pull to return and improve the livelihoods of his community. He spent a decade working in the social and developmental sectors, gaining insight into how to best serve tribal women. His experience with a non-profit organization in Bastar solidified the idea for Bastar Se Bazaar Tak, as he realized the importance of eliminating middlemen to ensure fair pricing for farmers.

A Business Built on Empowerment, Not Charity

Satendrasingh was clear from the outset that his venture would not be a charity. “Tribal communities don’t need handouts; they need real employment opportunities,” he states. By choosing a business model over a non-profit, Satendrasingh ensured that women could earn a sustainable income and build their futures.

How the Business Works

Bastar Se Bazaar Tak operates through a three-pronged approach:

Direct Intervention: Satendrasingh and his team work directly with farmers to procure produce.
Social Side: The venture provides employment to tribal women who sort, pack, and distribute the products.
Collaboration with Panchayats: The business collaborates with local governing bodies to streamline procurement.

The produce is stored in cold storage facilities to ensure freshness and longevity, allowing the women to sell their harvests at market price without any commission cuts. This system ensures that the farmers are compensated fairly and on time.

The Products: From the Forest to Your Home

Bastar Se Bazaar Tak offers a wide range of natural products, including:

Fruits and Nuts: Tamarind, custard apple, jamun
Vegetables
Fish and Game
Medicinal Plants
Resins, Essences, and Fibers

These products are distributed across major cities in India, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Raipur. The brand has sold 50 tonnes of produce since its inception, generating Rs 1 crore in revenue. Consumers can easily purchase Forest Naturals products online through platforms like Amazon and JioMart.

Success Stories: Changing Lives One Woman at a Time

Among the 1,550 tribal women working with Satendrasingh is Pancho Jyoti, a mother of three whose life has transformed through this initiative. “Before, I earned Rs 1,000-1,500 per month after exhausting work. Now, I earn Rs 5,000-6,000 every 20-25 days,” she shares, adding that she now has a secure livelihood and improved living standards.

A Future Full of Promise

Through Bastar Se Bazaar Tak, Satendrasingh has not only addressed the long-standing issue of middlemen but has also created a sustainable business model that uplifts an entire community. His initiative is a beacon of hope, providing tribal women with fair wages, employment, and an opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty.