Organizer
Surkhet Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Financial & Technical Support
Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI)
A journey that began with a single handful of grass from the forest — today, the shared dream of 38 women and a plastic-free green enterprise.
A lifelong lover of handicrafts, Nirmala always liked to weave something in her spare time. One day, in a forest near her home, she found kans and kush grass and began twisting it into rope. As she wove, she realised these grasses are considered deeply pure in religious tradition — giving the items made from them a special value in the market.
Her first basket didn’t turn out as she’d hoped. But she didn’t give up — practising again and again, each piece came out better than the last. The skill took root, but one question held her back.
I can make the products — but how do I sell them?
She had the idea, but no knowledge of marketing or entrepreneurship. This was the turning point that gave her journey direction.
Run with the financial and technical support of the Surkhet Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute, the Business Incubation Service turned Nirmala from an artisan into a mature entrepreneur.
Today Nirmala prepares her own business plans, registers and promotes across all agencies, and pays taxes on time. The Chamber’s Market Feed and Assessment confirm strong market demand for her products.
The group now produces around 15 types of green products entirely from kans and kush grass, using no plastic at all.
Pen Holder
Hot Case
Flower Pot
Tray
Makeup Box… plus baskets, lidded containers, bags and vases — around 15 product types in all.
Rising demand at weddings — a green choice favoured for décor and gifts.
After joining the group, various cooperatives have trusted them with loans, increasing production capacity. Being plastic-free, the market for these products keeps widening by the day.
“Whatever challenges come, we are now fully confident our enterprise will succeed.”
With the right skills, the right guidance and the right market linkage, even a small idea can become a sustainable enterprise.