MART Global Management Solutions LLP is committed to sustainable livelihoods development of the displaced families and has been mobilizing the communities for active involvement in Income generating activities. MART lays special focus on promoting economic empowerment of women through formation / revival and strengthening of women self-help groups.

Maa Sarala SHG was one of the groups actively involved in income generating activities. Upon displacement to the R&R Colony (New Manoharpur) developed by OCPL, MART mobilized the members of Maa Sarala SHG and regularized their monthly savings, meetings and documentary records. After several rounds of discussions, capacity building sessions and field visits, the SHG members decided to start with processing and trading in spices and other food products. It was further decided that the SHG would put up stalls at different district level Pallishree Melas organized by ORMAS, Dept. of Panchayati Raj.

MART started with the procurement process and extended all required support towards selection of varieties and purchase of raw materials, value-addition, packaging, branding and logistics for enhancing the sales potential of proposed products. The staff members visited different districts across the state to procure commodities that were specially known for their quality.  Support activities such as capacity building sessions focusing on proper processing and packaging of the products were organized in the run-up to the Melas. For effective marketing of the products, MART coordinated with the district level authorities and ensured that stalls were reserved for Maa Sarala SHG. A brand name for the products was also developed and designed in coordination with OCPL, known as ‘MANOHAR’, thus echoing with the unique identity of displaced families of Manoharpur village.

Finally, the SHG procured, processed and marketed a wide range of food products such as Kandhamal Turmeric, Jeera, Dhania, Garam Masala, Chilli power, Similipal Honey, Rajma, Palua (Arrowroot), and Jhuna under the brand name ‘MANOHAR’. Altogether, more than 40 varieties of products were sold and Kandhamal Turmeric turned out to be a ‘Bestseller’. For all the three districts, Maa Sarala SHG invested Rs. 2.39 lakh, earning sales revenue of Rs. 3.40 lakh, thereby earning profit of Rs. 1.01 lakh for 01 month alone. That roughly translates into a monthly-profit of Rs. 12,500 for each of the 8 members who participated most actively during this whole exercise.