EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS
· Ambuja Cements, as part of CSR, has empowered over 300 women from SHGs to establish sustainable micro-enterprises through turmeric cultivation in Bhatapara.
· The programme has promoted scientific farming practices, enhanced income levels, and encouraged entrepreneurship across 11 villages.
· With a growing seed bank and market linkage, the initiative continues to strengthen rural women’s economic self-reliance.
Ambuja Cements, the 9th largest building materials solutions company globally, and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, continues to strengthen rural livelihoods through its CSR initiatives. In Bhatapara, women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have successfully adopted turmeric cultivation as a sustainable source of income, transforming local agricultural practices and livelihoods.
The initiative began in 2022–23 with 151 SHG members from 11 villages, who received hands-on training and exposure to scientific turmeric cultivation methods. The SHGs selected the Salem variety and cultivated 4 acres using 20 quintals of seed material. With best practices such as raised-bed planting, organic manuring, and mulching, the women achieved a 3.7x increase in yield, generating over ₹2.66 lakh in their first season.
Encouraged by the success, 261 SHG women expanded turmeric cultivation to 8 acres in 2023–24. A seed bank was established to facilitate the sale and purchase of quality seeds within the community. That year, SHG members produced 10,100 kg of turmeric, generating a total market value of around ₹5.05 lakh.
In 2024–25, 313 SHG women participated in turmeric production, with improved access to organic inputs and technical guidance. Together, they now hold over 3,100 kg of turmeric seeds, including 2,100 kg earmarked for sale to support new entrants and strengthen the local value chain, with approximately 7,500 kg turmeric used for household purpose.
Through continuous training, capacity building, and enterprise development, Ambuja Cements continues to empower SHGs in Chhattisgarh to achieve financial independence and sustainable growth — reinforcing its commitment to inclusive rural development and women-led entrepreneurship.