The Chhattisgarh Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board (Government of Chhattisgarh, Forest Department) organized a two-day training program on 25–26 April 2026 at the Board Office Auditorium for preparing handicrafts and value-added products from aromatic vetiver (khus) roots.
The objective of the training was to create additional livelihood and income-generation opportunities for women self-help group members engaged in vetiver cultivation along riverbanks in Dhamtari district.
The training was provided to women members from four Self-Help Groups belonging to three villages of Kurud Block in Dhamtari district. These included:
- Annapurna and Jai Maa Saraswati Women Self-Help Groups from Village Nari
- Dhan Ka Katora Production Committee from Village Parkhanda
- Vandana Women Self-Help Group from Village Madroud
To conduct the training on preparing various handicrafts and products from vetiver roots, the Board invited expert trainers, Mrs. Nirmala (Chief Trainer) and Mr. Shanbagam from the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.
During the two-day program, Mrs. Nirmala trained the women participants in making seven types of handicraft items from vetiver roots, including vetiver garlands, decorative torans, and hand fans.
During the training program, Board Chairman Vikas Markam interacted with all the women trainees and observed the handicraft products prepared from vetiver roots. On this occasion, trainer Mr. Shanbagam welcomed the Chairman by presenting him with a garland made from vetiver roots.
In his address during the program, Chairman Vikas Markam informed the trainees that the riverbank vetiver cultivation model developed in Dhamtari district has received national-level awards. He further directed that plans should be prepared to expand this model to all districts of the state in the future. During the program, Board CEO Mr.J. A. C. S. Rao stated that in 2026, work was first initiated on the vetiver cultivation model along the banks of the Shabari and Indravati rivers in the Bastar region, and soon the model will also be implemented along other rivers of the state.
Chief trainer Mrs. Nirmala from Madurai informed the participants that products and handicrafts made from vetiver roots have high market demand. A one-foot vetiver garland can fetch approximately ₹500, a vetiver toran around ₹300, while smaller vetiver products are easily sold in the range of ₹200–500. She emphasized that apart from their attractive appearance, the natural fragrance of vetiver is a major specialty of these products.
The women participants attended the training enthusiastically and shared that the Board continuously works towards making women economically self-reliant, for which they expressed their sincere gratitude to the Board.
The training program was also attended by the Board’s Medicinal Plant Cultivation Advisor D. K. S. Chauhan and Dhamtari District Coordinator Faqir Ram Kosaria.
