Changing the Story of Mahua: Farmers Leading with Sangatee FPC
In the tribal areas of Kurkheda, Dhanora, and Brahmapuri, forest produce like Mahua is not just a seasonal crop — it is an important source of income for many families. For years, people who collected Mahua had to sell it to local traders at very low prices. They had no system, no support, and no fair value for their hard work.
Sangatee Farmer Producer Company (FPC) was formed to change this. We believe that when farmers and communities come together, they can take charge of their own development. Mahua became our first step in this journey. Last year, Sangatee worked with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to support people in collecting and selling Mahua and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
As part of this process, the company also guaranteed better market access to these local institutions (SHGs, VDVKs etc..) engaged in the Mahua trade. An important assurance was that if, for any reason, the market price of Mahua dropped, Sangatee FPC would absorb that loss, ensuring that no individual or institution suffered financially during the buying and selling process. This approach not only gave confidence to the producers but also built trust with the community. To formalize this commitment, the company drew on its expertise and entered into written agreements with the consent of both parties, making the process transparent and reliable.
This year (In 2025), Sangatee took the work forward with more ownership. Together with 325 shareholder farmers, local cadres, Pashusakhis, directors, and promoters, the company directly collected Mahua from the villages. The process was open, community-led, and focused on one clear goal giving producers fair prices.
Sangatee FPC procured 11,897.6 kg of Mahua from village level. The produce was sold at an average rate of ₹46.48 per kg, generating a total selling amount of ₹5,87,500. After deducting expenses of ₹5,53,103, the company recorded a profit of ₹34,397. More importantly, this transparent process ensured that farmers directly benefited from better rates, without exploitation by middlemen
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