Bhuira Jams

Bhuira Jams makes jams, jellies, marmalades and chutneys in the village of Bhuira in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Its founder, Linnet Mushran, came across a family cottage there in 1991, bought it, and began making apple jelly from its small orchard.

The company says the response to the apple jelly led to more flavours made from local stone fruits such as cherry, peach, apricot and plum. It started with one factory in 1999 and now has two units, one in Bhuira and one in the nearby village of Halonipul.

Both units are run by women from the area, and the company says more than a hundred women now work in its operations. It also says the factories let small local farmers sell their fruit nearby instead of through middlemen.

Linnet Mushran, British by birth, is the founder. Rebecca Vaz is the director and has a background in management and confectionery production.