Remote, resilient & profitable: Pangi’s women-led producer firm sets example
In a historic moment for grassroots women’s enterprise in Himachal Pradesh, the Pir Panjal Jungle Producer Company (PPJPC) held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the remote and picturesque Pangi valley. This milestone event marked the formal coming together of all 438 women shareholders to celebrate a remarkable first year defined by the organised and profitable collective sale of locally harvested hazelnuts, locally called “Thagni”.
Led by an all-women Board of Directors comprising seven elected leaders from the valley, the company presented its first-ever physical and financial report during the inaugural event held recently.
The figures reflected a promising start: a total sale worth Rs 4,79,661 (inclusive of GST), with Rs 22,841 contributed in taxes to the state government. Each member has invested Rs 100 as share capital, deposited directly into the company’s account — laying the foundation for a community-owned, transparent financial model.
Formed in 2024 with support from the Initiative on Forest Economy under the Bharati Institute of Public Policy, PPJPC was established to address the chronic lack of fair market access for the region’s forest produce. Traditionally, the tribal communities of Pangi have relied on forest resources — hazelnuts, guchhi (morel mushrooms), kala jeera (black cumin), neoza (pine nuts) and medicinal herbs — for their livelihoods, but have often been denied fair prices due to poor market connectivity and lack of organised channels.
The AGM served not only as a moment for celebration but also strategic planning. The board outlined proposed changes in the organisational structure and emphasised the urgent need for dedicated office and storage facilities, highlighting this as a key demand from the local administration to support scaling operations.
Looking ahead, PPJPC announced ambitious expansion plans: enrolment of 300 new women members and diversification into additional forest-based products such as morels, black cumin and pine nuts. The company reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and community-sensitive harvesting practices, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the cost of ecological integrity.
“This is a proud moment for us and whole of the Pangi valley,” said Jamna Kumari, BOD Member, who also leads the initiative. “We are proving that remote tribal women can build and lead profitable businesses rooted in fairness, ecology and empowerment,” she said.
The AGM was more than a meeting — it was a celebration of agency, solidarity and vision. As Pangi’s first-ever women-led producer company, PPJPC sets a hopeful precedent for forest economies across Himalayan regions, offering a replicable model of local ownership and gender-inclusive economic development.
Himachal Tribune