The story
Incense making in old Mysore state grew in the early 20th century, using local sandalwood, forest resins and flowers. Family firms in Mysuru and Bengaluru built national brands, while hand-rolling became home-based work for many women. The industry body began in 1949 as the Mysore Oodabathi Manufacturers' Association. Mysore Agarbathi received a GI tag.
In numbers
Karnataka houses over sixty percent of all agarbatti manufacturers in India.
Bitter Ashes: the exploitative practices of the agarbatti industry (The Caravan) · 2019
GI tag
- Mysore AgarbathiApplication no. GI application no. 13 & 18Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Start a machine-made raw agarbatti unit supplying brands
- Bamboo stick making for agarbatti
- Fragrance and perfume compounding
- Packaging and private-label brands
Problems the cluster faces
- Low wages for home-based rollers
- Health risks from dust and chemicals
- Imports of raw sticks
- Thin margins and many small brands
Businesses to start here
Agarbatti (Incense Stick) Making →Agarbatti (Incense Stick) Rolling Unit →Bamboo Sticks for Agarbatti →Perfume Manufacturing →