Incense (Agarbatti) Business Setup – Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Jahlipatti
With the aim of
promoting women’s entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, the project
team initiated an incense stick (Agarbatti and Dhup Batti) making enterprise in
Jahlipatti village. Through this effort, 16 women were mobilized and trained,
enabling them to launch their own small-scale businesses. The initiative not
only generated a direct source of income but also fostered self-reliance,
livelihood security, and socio-economic empowerment among rural women.
Prior to starting production, the team conducted market
research and a situational analysis to assess the feasibility of the
initiative. Based on the findings, GPSVS organized a structured Incense
Making Training Program for the selected women’s group. The training was
facilitated by experts including Mr. Aniket Narayan and Ms. Archana Kumari, who
provided practical knowledge on raw materials, rolling techniques, drying, and
packaging.
Initially, the women produced incense sticks manually.
However, shaping the sticks consistently by hand was a major challenge. To
address this, a machine was procured to streamline production. GPSVS
then organized a machine operation training, ensuring that the women
were confident in using the equipment efficiently and safely.
To strengthen market presence, GPSVS supported the group in
developing a distinct brand identity, which included:
- Selecting a name
and logo that reflect rural pride and sustainability
- Designing
attractive, informative, and eco-friendly packaging
- Incorporating
messaging to appeal to environmentally conscious buyers
Outcomes
and Achievements
The
initiative has led to measurable success:
- 16
women have established a reliable source of income, each earning an
average of Rs. 4,000 per month
- Cumulative
earnings have reached Rs. 69,920
