Food cottage industries

04/23/25 • 26 min

Cottage industries, usually referring to small scale home-based production, can be found all over the world. Often they provide a vital source of additional income for women, particularly in low income and rural areas.

In this programme Devina Gupta speaks to women who are working in food cottage industries in India, Eswatini in Southern Africa, and Ecuador, to hear about the work and the difference it makes to their finances.

Devina goes to meet some of the 40,000 women working for Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, India’s multimillion-dollar co-operative, which produces 'Lijjat Papad' poppadoms, sold nationwide.

If you’d like to contact the programme you can email [email protected]

Presented by Devina Gupta.

Produced by Hannah Bewley.

(Image: two women rolling poppadom disks in Delhi. Credit: BBC)

Devina goes to meet some of the 40,000 women working for Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, India’s multimillion-dollar co-operative, which produces 'Lijjat Papad' poppadoms, sold nationwide.

If you’d like to contact the programme you can email [email protected]

Presented by Devina Gupta.

Produced by Hannah Bewley.

(Image: two women rolling poppadom disks in Delhi. Credit: BBC)

Previous Episode

What’s the future for Indigenous food?

Indigenous food is experiencing a revival in Canada, with growing awareness of First Nations culture, and Indigenous run community farms and restaurants opening.

While many are hopeful, there remains challenges to food security, including the realities of living in remote areas, the legacy of historic government schemes and climate change.

Megan Lawton speaks to First Nation farmers, restauranteurs and chefs.

Presented by Megan Lawton

Produced by Sam Gruet

Next Episode

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Ruth Alexander hears the stories of risk, reward and redemption from three businesses on three different continents:

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Producers: Hannah Bewley and Sam Clack

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]

(Image: hands kneading dough. Credit: Getty Images/ BBC)