Trainings on PESA-based Tendu leaves sale in Madhya Pradesh

Marking a significant policy shift in 2022, Madhya Pradesh (MP) government opened up trade of non-timber forest products (NTFP) through gram sabhas through provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) rules (PESA) including tendu leaves. There has been growing interest to market NTFPs under the PESA provisions among gram sabhas, especially tendu leaves. The experience from the pioneering attempt of more than 280 gram sabhas spread across MP in tendu leaf sale under PESA however, was fraught with challenges and gram sabhas reported decreased leaf production, highly reduced prices and overall failure in the markets. This points to the need for training among gram sabha members the on economic, ecological and operational dimensions of NTFP trade.
The ATREE CFR-CII team in Madhya Pradesh organized introductory training sessions on PESA-based tendu leaves marketing in in Samnapur, Dindori (Dindori district) and Mawai (Mandla district) between 3rd December – 6th December 2025. More than 120 individuals including tendu leaf collectors, gram sabha representatives, PESA coordinators at the gram panchayat-level, block and district level PESA cell coordinators participated across the three training sessions. Anuja Date conducted the trainings facilitated by Mohit Mahajan, Varsha Nuruti, Maruthi Atram, and Chandrawati Dhurwey.
The training introduced the various decision-making steps to ensure access to tendu leaf markets, get higher production and prices through gram sabha-based auctions. It presented the experiences of various marketing models operational in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for tendu leaves. Gram sabha members shared their experience in sale of tendu leaves, challenges were identified and solutions discussed. Discussion was held on sample advertisements issued by gram sabhas, contracts signed between gram sabhas and traders, the terms and conditions in each. Based on prior research, the training emphasized on formation of gram sabha federation, ensuring transparent governance and operations of the federation as a fundamental step to overcome the challenges faced in tendu leaf markets. The participants were also encouraged to consider marketing of other NTFPs beyond tendu leaves that might be better suited to local resource contexts. Participants expressed a need for further trainings at the gram sabha-level in the upcoming year.