Gundruk turns into a business lifeline for women in Hetauda
Summary
Women in Ghale Gaun, Hetauda-12 have turned gundruk production into a thriving business that is boosting incomes, jobs and household decision-making. Demand for the organic, certified product is rising faster than the cooperative can supply, with orders now coming from domestic and international markets.
Key Points
- Women in Ghale Gaun formed the Kanchanjunga Agriculture Cooperative Micro-Entrepreneur Industry and began producing gundruk commercially from collectively grown mustard greens.
- Organic certification from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control helped sales surge from 500 kilogrammes in the first year to 1,500 kilogrammes last year.
- The cooperative now has 26 members, employs 20 women and plans to expand production and employment further as demand rises.
- Support from Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City and Green Foundation Nepal was key to training, grants, registration and certification.
