Pickle-Preneurs of Kolar: Women Driving Business in Karnataka’s Mango Hub

Rapid Summary

• Kolar, Karnataka: known as the mango capital of Karnataka, Kolar district supports thousands of mango farmers and women entrepreneurs.India accounts for 40% of global mango production; Karnataka ranks third with 17.95 lakh tonnes annually.
• Pickle-preneurship: In 2017,Rathnamma A.V. started a small-scale mango pickle-making unit in Srinivaspur taluk producing just 50 kg/month. this has now scaled up to a semi-automated operation producing over 2,000 kg/month,benefiting over 1 lakh people.
• Employment for Women: The initiative includes members of Self Help Groups (SHGs), differently-abled women, students, and local farmers; each worker earns at least ₹15,000 per month.
• Scaling Up & Brand Growth: Support from organizations like the Department of Horticulture and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) led to efficient marketing and higher production capacity. United Way Bengaluru added further momentum in brand growth efforts starting in 2019.
• Recognition: Vaibhava was awarded “Best Women’s self-Help Group” by Plan India in 2023 for its entrepreneurial success and training impact on SHGs across districts.

Image Description: Photo shows workers packing jars under Vaibhava’s pickle-making setup.

indian Opinion Analysis

The transformation seen in Kolar represents an inspiring example of localized entrepreneurship leveraging India’s agricultural strength while empowering rural communities-especially women-from zero income scenarios to steady livelihoods. Initiatives such as Rathnamma’s highlight how self-sustaining business models can emerge through cooperation between grassroots efforts and institutional support like FPOs or NGOs.

The meaningful rise in production-from small manual efforts to semi-automation-and earnings showcases how socio-economic upliftment can align with sustainable practices by limiting post-harvest waste (e.g., unused seasonal produce). as more women-led ventures enter markets backed by standards like FSSAI compliance, it sets benchmarks for expanding rural entrepreneurship beyond subsistence farming into value-addition sectors.

Continued scaling opportunities exist if similar ventures explore urban branding channels or diversified product lines under SHG networks while maintaining quality control systems-combining traditional craftsmanship with growth-driven innovation.

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