Couple's pickle business gaining pace, popularity
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj
Imphal, December 21 2023:
Setting an example that anything can be achieved if one pursues his/her career of passion, with dedication and persistence, a couple's pickle business, which started on a small scale, is now making rapid progress and becoming a popular pickle brand, appreciated by the people for its taste.
Leishangthem (Ongbi) Olivia Devi (34) along with her husband Bishen Leishangthem of Singjamei Chingamakha Liwa Road Ningthoujam Leikai started the pickle business back in 2018 but were compelled to cease operation with the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2019-2020.With even more dedication and hope they restarted the business in September, 2023 with the brand registered as "Mom Made" pickle.
In a short span, the couple are able to sell up to 600 packets a week with demand from outside the state also on the rise.
What is even more significant is that the couple are employing five young female workers.
In an exclusive interview with this daily, Olivia recalled that she used to work as a teacher and then a weaver for sustenance but realised that her passion was elsewhere.
As she was fairly good at cooking and preparing food since her tender age, and due to the fact that she was brought up in a family with pickle making as the main source of family income, Olivia opted to follow the family trade.
Though she had never actually attended a professional course, selecting specific ingredients to make her products stand out from other products was in her blood, the 34-year confided.
Olivia also pointed out that she along with her husband tested multiple times which specific ingredients are required to bring out the flavour suited with the taste of the people of Manipur, before finalising it.
She said that within a short time they received appreciation from the people thereby also increasing the demands.
From selling 50-100 packets in the first month, they are now doing brisk business of marketing 600 packets of their pickle items including pork, chicken, fish, salted fish (Thumyakpi), fermented fish with king chilli, shredded chicken, mushroom, fermented bamboo shoot, spicy garlic, king chilli and fermented soybeans and fermented fish, a week, she said.
According to Bishen (husband), for the time being they are selling their products through social media platform Instagram and deliver through speed post for orders from outside Manipur such as New Delhi, Dimapur, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, etc.
They have also started supplying to handful of retailers in town but will soon plan expansion of their joint venture.
With a sense of hope and excitement, Bishen reported that he has received a contract to deliver regularly to an outlet opening soon in New Delhi.
Sharing the hardships he and his wife faced in the initial stage, Bishen said that through sale of their products priced Rs 160 to Rs 210 they earned about Rs 2000 in a day but had to invest every profit in procuring machinery and tools.
Keeping trust in the quality of their products, he said that his pickles have been made to serve the taste of the people of Manipur rather than competing with imported pickles which generally taste sour.
He also pointed out that products of "Mom Made" are entire-.
ly made from raw materials found in the state.
The husband said that they have applied for the Start Up scheme sponsored by the state government and have plans to apply for loans as well to expand the business and also to provide job opportunities to many more people.
If all go well, they will try to lower the price tag to the most affordable, he added.
In a message of encouragement to the young generation and to those striving for self-employment, the couple said, "One should always believe in oneself and work with dedication if he/she wants to be successful.
Becoming success takes time but those who have the patience will surely reap its fruit.
One should also seek advice from experts concerned and keep up with the ever-changing market strategies so as to gain stability in the worst possible outcome" .
(The report has been filed under the 4th Award in Scientific Journalism Programme on the topic "Successful Entrepreneurship & Students Agriculture and allied sector", organised by Public Relation & Media Management Cell, Central Agricultural University, Lamphelpat, Imphal.
Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information and Publicity Officer and Head, PRMM Cell, CAU, Imphal can be contacted at [email protected] to know more about this report and related information) .
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