Empowering tribal women of Jharkhand: A replicable lac-based socio-economic model

Lac-based empowerment of tribal women

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of a lac-based socio-economic development model aimed at empowering tribal women in Jharkhand's Khunti district. Over three consecutive years, beginning in 2020, interventions such as the introduction of drought-tolerant paddy and ragi varieties, alongside scientific lac cultivation practices, were introduced. These efforts were coupled with skill development training for lac-based handicraft production, targeting income generation during off-hours. The adoption of improved paddy and ragi varieties resulted in output increases of 1.4 and 1.6 times, respectively, compared to traditional practices. Scientific lac cultivation yielded a productivity increase to 3.2 times versus 1.2 times in conventional methods. These findings suggest that equipping tribal women with knowledge, skills, financial support, and market linkages can catalyze rural transformation and sustainable development.