Photo: S. Rambabu
Empowering women: Tribal women making agarbathi sticks at Common Facility Centre at Maredumilli. —
Maredumilli (East Godavari): Like other cottage industries, value addition to bamboo has also become a cottage industry in agency areas of East Godavari district thanks to the initiative taken up by the Forest Deparment with the funds available under the World Bank aided AP Community Forest Management project. Agarbathi stick making has now become a cottage industry in Maredumilli mandal headquarters.
A Common Facility Centre (CFC) has been opened by Somireddypalem Vana Samrakshana Samiti (VSS) for providing a common platform to VSS members, especially women, in making bamboo agarbathi sticks in Maredumilli. For making incense sticks very simple machinery like cross cutting machine, slices and other small tools are required. Somireddypalem, Addara Veedhi, MM Valasa, Doriapeta, Pamuleru, Santhapeta, Valmikipeta and Kutrawada women are involved in making Agarbathi sticks. CFC has made market tie-ups with companies and arranging pipes and slices to CIG members. It has also initiated steps to ensure quality control and training. The incense making activity has eventually brought fragrance in the life of tribal women in last two years in Maredumilli mandal.
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