GADCHIROLI

Gadchiroli's economy is primarily centered around agriculture, with farming as the main profession for the people in this district. Forests cover a large portion of the area, exceeding 75%. Key occupations include forest produce collection, with bamboo and tendu leaves being important products. Paddy is the main agricultural product, along with other crops like Jwar, Linseed, Tur, and Wheat. Mining activities also contribute to the economy, with limestone, dolomite, quartz, and iron ore being valuable mineral resources found in the district. Government services and small-scale businesses are other sources of income for the population. There is a paper mill at Ashti and a paper pulp factory at Desaiganj, but overall, large-scale industry is limited. Bamboo articles are manufactured in clusters.

Gadchiroli district is divided into 12 tehsils and has 467 Gram Panchayats. The district has also been identified for a paddy-growing area.

Seasonal employment in Gadchiroli is significantly tied to agriculture and the collection of Minor Forest Products (MFPs). Tribals obtain employment and additional income throughout the year from collecting MFPs. These products are crucial in improving the livelihood of tribal populations and promoting sustainability, holding immense potential in national and international markets.  MFPs found in Gadchiroli include bamboo, tendu, mahua, charodi, triphala, karanj, palas, and gum. The collection of these provides substantial employment. For example, one study found that, on average, people get around 153 days of work from MFP collection, with the most coming from the collection of the mohua flower.

The annual income from collecting charodi, gum, and mohua flowers was found to be 8,000  rupees. However, the influence of seasonality can be both direct and indirect, impacting economic, infrastructural, and social factors. Modern economic activities that peak in different seasons can mitigate the negative effects of seasonality or even benefit from it.

Women play a vital role in Gadchiroli's agriculture sector and the development of its rural economy. Agriculture employs 80% of all economically active women in India; they comprise 33% of the agricultural labor force and 48% of self-employed farmers. Women are significantly involved in main crop production, livestock production, horticulture, post-harvesting operations, agro/social forestry, and fishing. Self-help groups have been organizing weekly markets to empower women financially by providing necessary training and marketing facilities.

Despite the clear benefits of increasing gender diversity in various industries, women may face numerous challenges that hinder their full participation. Some of the most significant barriers include cultural and societal norms, occupational health and safety concerns, limited access to education and training opportunities, and work-life balance issues. The average workforce participation by female workers was about 45% in 2001 and 44% in 2011, showing a slight decline in participation. There is also a gap between the participation of male and female workers. Sustainable agricultural practices are essential to spreading the use of natural, sustainable agriculture. Pilot programs are being undertaken to show that women can independently undertake agriculture and allied and non-farm activities and play an important role in marketing, business management, and financial management.

Labor unions in India are registered under the Trade Union Act of 1926 and aim to protect workers' interests and improve employer-employee relations. However, the trade union movement in India is largely divided along political lines. Gadchiroli falls under the jurisdiction of the Labour Enforcement Officer (LEO) in Chandrapur, along with Yevatmal and Nanded.

In a recent development in Gadchiroli, Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL) allotted company shares to its 6,000-strong workforce, with 80% being mine and plant workers. This move makes the workers stakeholders in the company. The minimum allotment was 100 shares per worker, increasing based on tenure, and there is no lock-in period.

Gadchiroli has several technical education institutions, but the higher education infrastructure in the district is generally inadequate. The following types of institutions are present:

• Government Polytechnic, Gadchiroli: This is a state-run technical education institute located in Gadchiroli town.
• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): Some ITIs include the Tribal Ashram Government Industrial Training Institute.
• Technical High School Centre, Gadchiroli
• Shri Samarth Balaji College of Technical Education: This college was established in 2009.

The Government Science College in Gadchiroli also provides basic science courses at the undergraduate level, as well as master's degrees in Botany, Chemistry, and Zoology. However, a majority of students drop out after completing primary or secondary education to help their parents with farming due to the absence of good education facilities.