Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Tribal Women's Cooperative Achieves Rs 1.27 Crore Turnover with Mahua Flower Laddus
Tribal women have created a special healthy snack called laddus using a flower called Ipappuvvu, mixed with other tasty and good-for-you things like peanuts and jaggery.
They received training to make these laddus perfectly and followed special health guidelines.
These laddus are sent to tribal schools to help children eat well, and they are also sold in shops.
The women run their own sales centers, showing how hard work and a good idea can lead to their own successful business.
This has helped many tribal families earn money and become more independent.
Even the Prime Minister has talked about their amazing achievement!
The Bheem Bhai Tribal Women’s Cooperative Society produces highly nutritious laddus from Ipappuvvu (mahua flowers).
A production unit in Utnoor was established with Rs 40 lakh investment, supported by TRICOR subsidy, bank loans, and women's contributions.
Around 150 quintals of Ipappuvvu are collected annually from tribal families, benefiting nearly 100 families.
Laddus are supplied to 77 tribal residential schools and also sold in open markets, generating significant revenue.
The cooperative has achieved an impressive annual turnover of Rs 1.27 crore, showcasing women-led economic transformation and self-reliance.
- Who
- Bheem Bhai Tribal Women’s Cooperative Society, supported by the Telangana government (ITDA Utnoor, TRICOR) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
- What
- Production and sale of highly nutritious Ipappuvvu (mahua flower) laddus, leading to significant economic empowerment and self-reliance for tribal women.
- When
- Ipappuvvu is collected annually in March. Laddus are supplied monthly to schools and sold in open markets ongoing. The cooperative has achieved a Rs 1.27 crore annual turnover.
- Where
- Production unit in Utnoor, with sales outlets in Hyderabad (Indira Mahila Shakti Kendra, Shilparamam) and Balapur. Ipappuvvu is collected from the undivided Adilabad region, particularly Kumuram Bheem–Asifabad district.
- Why
- To promote women-led economic transformation, foster self-reliance among tribal women, provide nutritious food to tribal children under the Girijana Poshan Mitra Scheme, and utilize local natural resources.
Government Support
Self-Reliance
Initiative Funding and Training
Government Support
The ITDA Utnoor Skill Development Wing, part of the State government, has been actively promoting livelihood opportunities for tribal women and provided specialized training for laddu preparation.
Self-Reliance
The Bheem Bhai Tribal Women’s Cooperative Society, with a 60% TRICOR subsidy, 30% bank loans, and 10% women's contribution, demonstrates a strong foundation of self-reliance built on a blend of external support and internal drive.
- Cooperative Name
- Bheem Bhai Tribal Women’s Cooperative Society
- Product
- Nutritious laddus made from Ipappuvvu (mahua flowers), peanuts, sesame seeds, jaggery, cashews, raisins, and sunflower oil.
- Production Unit Location
- Utnoor
- Total Investment
- Rs. 40 lakh (60% subsidy from TRICOR, 30% bank loan, 10% women's contribution)
- Annual Collection of Ipappuvvu
- Approximately 150 quintals (collected in March)
- Beneficiaries of Collection
- Nearly 100 tribal families
- Annual Turnover
- Rs. 1.27 crore
- Monthly Revenue
- Approximately Rs. 3 lakh
