Wonderful To See Rural Women Contributing To India's Economic Growth: Bommai

It is also wonderful to see that women comprise about 80 per cent of the workforce in the Agarbathi industry and rural women are contributing to the economic growth of India, said Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday.

While speaking at the inaugural session of All India Agarbathi Manufacturing Association (AIAMA) Expo 2022 in Bangalore, he said that Karnataka is home to some of the most mesmerising fragrances like Jasmine and sandalwood. 

He said, "AIAMA Expo 2022 is a great step towards promoting innovation and is aligned with our prime minister’s vision of Atmanirbar Bharat."

According to a recent study by the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers’ Association (AIAMA), which represents over 800 agarbathi manufacturers across the country, the demand for prayer products, especially agarbathi, has seen a sharp increase in the last two years in India and across the globe, as the exports went up to 15 per cent in 2021. 

The industry has been traditionally growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6 per cent but is now witnessing double-digit growth as agarbathi was once a traditional product used only for worship and today, it is perceived as a lifestyle product used by all age groups for various needs including worship, home aroma, meditation, spirituality and more.

Further, he added, “Agarbathi and Fragrance are in the business of spreading happiness. It elevates the mood and makes us feel cheerful. In such small things, there is a lot of happiness.”

In addition to this, the industry employs close to five lakh people among them women comprise about 80 per cent of the workforce in the agarbathi industry. 

This is totally in alignment with the government’s ‘Stree Shakthi Scheme’ which empowers rural women by providing them with training, employment, wealth generation schemes and subsidies, to make them financially independent. 

Arjun Ranga, President, AIAMA also said at the event that AIAMA requires to work closely with the Government as a representative of the Agarbathi industry in India to carry out its mission in a sustained manner.