Celebrating 7 Years of Women-Led Impact at GreenKraft’s Madurai Unit

GreenKraft, a producer company collectively owned by women-led producer which was incubated by Industree Foundation, made a pivotal decision in 2018 to shift its operations from Bangalore to Madurai, Tamil Nadu. 

The state, known to be extensively involved in banana cultivation, produces an abundance of banana bark, a resource that is often discarded or burned, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. For GreenKraft, this waste held potential. The idea was simple but powerful: transform agricultural waste into eco-friendly, globally marketable products while creating livelihoods for women. 

The women who joined the Madurai unit came from marginalised, low-income backgrounds. Most were either homemakers or agricultural labourers with little or no exposure to formal work environments. The mobilization process began at the grassroot level which included door-to-door visits, small community gatherings and through word-of-mouth. Rather than seeking women with existing craft skills, the focus was on those who were willing to learn and grow.

Through hard-skill training in banana fibre craft, the women learned essential production techniques, quality control measures, and resource management. This practical training enabled them to create high-quality products and manage their work efficiently.

Industree also ensured that women were trained with a deeper curriculum focused on soft skills, including the 6Y framework (You, Your Family, Your Community, Your Enterprise, Your World, Your Planet), gender sensitisation, and awareness of gender-based violence (GBV). These sessions emphasised leadership, communication, and social empowerment, helping the women build confidence, ask questions, and envision new possibilities for themselves and their families. These hard and soft skills training are designed to equip women producers to lead their enterprises effectively and become changemakers within their communities.

Madurai was chosen not just for its raw material access but for its proximity to a major shipping port, making it easier to integrate into global supply chains.

Women producers at work, Madurai unit, Tamil Nadu

This move also aligned with the vision of brands like IKEA, one of GreenKraft’s key buyers at the time, who emphasized transparency and traceability in production. The unit became a dynamic space of co-creation, where global designers worked alongside women producers.

What began as a team of just a few producers in 2018 has become a collective of women today and a robust value chain. These women now earn stable incomes in a safer environment. Many no longer need to work in unreliable & unsafe temporary jobs and are instead engaged in work that is beneficial for people and the planet. Their products, ranging from baskets, mats, lampshades, bags, table runners and other decor, are sold across India and are making their way into homes worldwide.

Banana baskets manufactured in Madurai unit, Tamil Nadu

Their journey didn’t just stop at production. The collaborative process brought in designers who worked with producers to refine and innovate product lines. This immersive experience significantly boosted the women's confidence and skills. Some even travelled across cities to demonstrate their craft and share their stories, creating moments of pride for themselves and their families, and their communities. 

The impact of the Madurai unit has gone far beyond city limits. Its model & success catalysed the expansion of the banana value chain across Tamil Nadu, in the regions of Chinnangudi, Veeravanallur, Nagapattinam, and more, with more women stepping into creative manufacturing and leadership. Today, GreenKraft in Madurai stands as an SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit Report) certified- 100% producer-owned company working with banana fibre, developing innovative, in-house designs that are climate-friendly and community-driven.

As GreenKraft’s Madurai unit marks its seventh year, we celebrate the women and their unwavering spirit that has sustained and strengthened it. 

Women producers in Madurai celebrating 7 years of GreenKraft

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