[Watch] Malkangiri’s Grass Broom Makers Struggle For Lack Of Govt Support

Malkangiri: Making and selling hill brooms is the primary source of income and livelihood for the women of Malkangiri. But, lack of government support has hurt the profits of the makers of the environment-friendly produce.

The women of Bonda and Didai tribes are skilled in the art of broom making and have been in the business since generations. Changing times and invasion of modern tools have brought more trouble than profits for the grass broom makers.

The tribal women living in Bonda Ghati and Bayapada depend on minor forest produce for some income. The hill grass is one among them. They collect grass the grass, process it, bind it and sell it.

Says Raita Khila a broom maker, “Malkangiri district is blessed with nature’s gifts. We cultivate Alasi and Suan and after harvesting those, we collect grass to make Phul Jhadu (grass broom). We dry the grass, cut it and tie it in thread tightly to make brooms.”

The work – from collection to making the end product – is not as easy as it may sound. “The processing work takes 10 to 12 days of hard labour. For the efforts we put in we earn Rs 10 to Rs 15 per broom which comes to around Rs 150 for the efforts. If government takes some steps, we can earn more profits,” said Daimati Khara, a broom maker and seller.

The women also shoulder the responsibility of selling the produce. They walk to the weekly haat, which are mostly located far from their villages, to sell the produce.

While the plastic brooms are sold for Rs 50 per piece, grass broom sell for a meagre Rs 10 to Rs 15. “We like these grass brooms, instead of using plastic broom. Price of grass broom is also less than plastic one,” said Santi Dora, a customer.

The pricing and profits from the brooms are way too less compared to the hard work and manual labour that the women put into it.

“Though there is demand of grass broom in Malkangiri district, tribal people are not getting desirable profits as per their effort. A mandi is necessary in the village. The government can also make a market of broom,” said  Pallas Mandal, a customer.