DHARAMSHALA (Himachal Pradesh), April 02: A community-led women-led food venture in Himachal Pradesh is enabling rural women to earn sustainable incomes by turning traditional pickle-making into a structured livelihood model, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen rural women entrepreneurship and women-led micro-enterprises in India.
Founded in 2024 by Nupur Kohli, Mustard Women, a Himachal-based artisanal pickle brand, operates from Bandi village near Dharamshala and currently works with 3 to 4 local women, with plans to scale to 10 to 15 women in the near term.
Kohli, who previously worked in marketing and advertising in Gurugram, moved to the mountains and set up a homestay in Dharamkot. Her interactions with local women there led to the discovery of traditional pickle-making practices that eventually evolved into a structured community-led food enterprise.
“The idea was to build on existing skills within the community and create a consistent source of income without requiring women to move out of their villages,” says Nupur Kohli, founder of Mustard Women.
The initiative reflects the growing role of small women-led enterprises in rural India, where access to formal employment remains limited despite the presence of traditional skill sets.
Models such as self-help groups (SHGs) and community-based food production units have increasingly been seen as viable pathways for rural livelihood generation and financial inclusion.
Operating from a small production unit within the village, the women produce traditional Himachali pickles and chutneys using locally sourced ingredients and generational recipes. The products are characterised by lower oil and salt content and the absence of artificial preservatives, positioning them within the growing demand for clean-label artisanal food products in India. They are currently sold through online platforms and select offline channels.
The venture began as a hyperlocal experiment in 2024, supplying limited batches to cafés, local markets, and a homestay. Following consistent consumer demand and repeat purchases, it expanded into online sales and began positioning itself as a small but emerging D2C food brand from Himachal Pradesh.
Beyond product sales, the initiative is contributing to household-level economic stability. Women associated with the venture are earning supplementary incomes within their village ecosystem, reducing the need for migration or external employment.
In several cases, the additional earnings have supported children’s education and improved access to better schooling options, reflecting the multiplier effect often associated with women’s income participation in rural households.
The production model is designed to align with local social structures, with women working in a shared facility within walking distance of their homes during fixed daytime hours, ensuring both safety and flexibility.
Mustard Women has expanded from five initial variants to a wider range of traditional Himalayan pickles, while introducing basic standardisation processes to maintain quality and consistency without altering core recipes.
The venture now plans to expand its distribution network across urban markets and onboard more women from nearby communities, positioning itself within the broader ecosystem of grassroots, women-led rural enterprises in India that are contributing to sustainable rural development.
About Mustard Women
Mustard Women is a Himachal Pradesh-based women-led artisanal food brand that works with rural women to produce traditional Himachali pickles and chutneys. Founded in 2024, the initiative focuses on creating rural livelihood opportunities for women while preserving regional food traditions through community-led production.
Mustard Women has expanded from five initial variants to a wider range of traditional pickles, while introducing basic standardisation processes to maintain quality and consistency without altering core recipes.
Media Contact
Nupur Kohli
Founder, Mustard Women Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh, India
