• To promote and market rural products
• To enable income generation for SHGs
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 20
The Regional SARAS Fair 2018 began on March 20, at the Capital Convention Centre with 50 Self Help Groups from eight districts in Nagaland participating in the Fair. Organised by Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission and sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, the Fair is an initiative of the Ministry to promote and market rural products and to enable income generation for SHGs especially in the rural areas.
Selling pickles and snacks at their Stall, Atoli and Mughali who runs a 12 members SHG in Raj Pukhuri Dimapur told The Morung Express on the success of SHGs where it has provided them a sense of economic empowerment. The Raj Pukhuri SHG is almost twenty years old where the members are involved in making pickles, snacks, cooking for wedding feasts, and even training other SHGs.
“With the money that we generate, we save a major amount in our SHG account, and the rest we distribute among ourselves for our children’s education and other necessities,” says the two women. While some SHGs are still struggling, the Rajpukhuri SHG is one of a success story where it has been able to train other SHGs on skills such as baking.
“We charge a minimal rate because we understand and empathise each others’ needs and struggles,” mentions the two who adds that the group earns over 30,000 per month or more during seasonal events.
Meanwhile, the Meluri village SHG which sells its own home-grown products informed that the group is able to make profits mostly during special occasions such as Republic Day where the Government provides them stalls to sell their products. On other days, the members of the SHG work on daily wages and earn their livelihoods.
The inauguration of the Fair, which will be held for five days, was held on March 20 with Kelei Zeliang, IAS Secretary RD, Government of Nagaland as the chief guest.
