Water pumps, stoves distributed to 142 SHGs in Senapati
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, February 19 2020: Senapati Forest Division, Senapati has distributed tool-kit and equipment to 142 Self Help Groups of the district under Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) scheme's Van Dhan Vikas Kayakram.

A simple function was held at Mini Stadium Ground, Senapati with Somorjit Salam, DC, Senapati as the chief guest and D John Sha, DFO, Senapati Forest Division as the guest of honour.

Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, targeting livelihood generation for tribal population by harnessing the wealth of forest.

Address the gathering, Lolee Leshiini Kriibve Mao, Range Officer in charge, HQ, said that nearly 47 villages of the district are beneficiaries of the scheme.

She mentioned that there are 9 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) comprising of 2713 tribal gatherers from 142 Self Help Groups (SHGs) of the district.

The said SHGs were trained by Master Trainers in the past for Value Addition of various Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) such as gooseberry, wild apple, Indian Olive, etc for maximising the profit on forest produces, she said adding that woman in the hills are mostly engaged in household activities where they hardly have a sustainable source of income for themselves.

In this age and century, it has become indispensable to break the chain of impertinent dependence that the society hold on the women.

At such juncture, Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram has heralded as the saving grace for these underprivileged women in the society which has helped them to creep out from poverty and helped them build their confidence and also to get a constant source of income, the RO continued.

She also stated that the Senapati Forest Division, Senapati has come to an agreement with Zingran Foods, Langdang, Ukhrul for training and linking of marketing opportunities for the participating SHGs.

Linking with other markets, both inside and outside the State would also be carried out with the help of State nodal agency, she stated.

D John Sha, while wishing all the SHGs to do their best, assured to extend every possible guidance from the department.

Speaking as the chief guest, Somorjit Salam asserted that the scheme started last year.

Representatives from TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India came to the State in 2018 and selected 5 districts where Senapati is one, the DC said expressing hope that the scheme could drastically change the society.

He also spoke on how SHGs can improve their incomes with different means and sources.

With the distribution of tool kits from the department, the beneficiaries can now earn profits and boost their income generation, the DC lamented.

Toolkit and equipment comprising of a water pump, jumbo box, steel utensil (kompak), red tube, handle mug, stove, steel sieve, big and small packing containers, weighing machine, sealing machine and sugar were distributed to 142 SHGs of the district along with a cheque.

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