The north-east region of India is known for its breathtaking landscapes comprising of hills, rivers, forests and field. Its residents are closely connected to its land through agriculture, handloom, even houses made of bamboo, mud, and straw- its Maati is precious. Pabitra Lama Sarmah, a daughter of this very soil founded Maati Community in 2010 to do something for the people of the region. With a vision to work towards their financial upliftment through the crafts so unique to NE India, she created this “social enterprise that builds capacity of communities to ensure empowerment for Indigenous Communities in the North East Region.”
Sustainable livelihoods
Maati is working in all the seven states of NE India, with focus in the agri-horti sector along with handloom & handicraft. Spreading up to a 3000 sq ft food processing industry In Guwahati and two community livelihood generating stores in Guwahati & Kaziranga, Maati Community’s Mission is “To create opportunities for providing sustainable livelihoods for the rural families, especially vulnerable sections and ensure sustainable livelihood, clean environment, good quality of life and human values. This will be achieved through effective utilisation of local resources, extension, transfers of appropriate technologies, building village level institutions and their capacities in the North East Region.” Open for visitors till 7 pm, the Maati Centre is a shop, meeting place and workshop space. Specialising in high quality handicrafts, handloom, arts and gift items inspired and created by rural crafts people of the region.
Among the various spheres that they work in, the Maati team specialises in agriculture: “We are committed and growing together with a strong 2500+ women farmers from the region creating a space for indigenous spices & herbs along with a special focus on the GI spices of the region. We have created a model focusing into self-sustainable business solution that will enhance the rural economy at Majuli under the Thread Bank Initiative.
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