Threads of Hope - Banana | Industree Foundation with BNP Paribas

The PROGRESS project is a pioneering rural livelihoods initiative that empowers women in Tamil Nadu to convert agricultural waste, specifically banana bark, into sustainable, income-generating opportunities. Implemented by Industree Foundation with support from BNP Paribas under the PROGRESS project, this effort strengthens women’s agency, builds local economies, and promotes environmentally conscious production.

Each year, tons of banana stems are discarded or burnt post-harvest. This project taps into that untapped resource, training rural and tribal women in Madurai and Tirunelveli to extract, process, and weave banana fibre into high-quality, eco-friendly handcrafted products. These include baskets, home décor, and lifestyle items that are now being exported to global markets, including Europe, Japan, and the USA, connecting rural craftswomen with global value chains.

With BNP Paribas’s support, a dedicated warehouse has been set up in Veeravanallur, streamlining operations from raw material sourcing to packaging and shipment. The project offers an end-to-end value chain solution, providing skill training, production planning, quality control, financial literacy, and marketing support.

Women engaged in the initiative have not only gained steady incomes but have also emerged as entrepreneurs and leaders within producer-owned enterprises. They are now active decision-makers in their households and communities, with improved access to education, healthcare, nutritious food, and clean energy.

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