Port Blair, Aug 30: The Department of Agriculture at Diglipur conducted Hands-on Training Programme for sensitizing the SHG Members of Kishorinagar Panchayat under Lakhpati Didi Programme on 28.08.2024 in the field of Mr. Gouranga Roy, a progressive farmer practicing organic farming.
To encourage SHG members to pursue entrepreneurial ventures by their inherent skills and potential and to position them well to move towards higher income brackets, the Department of Agriculture is supporting the SHGs by providing training on agriculture based activities.
At the outset, Mrs. Arti Singh, Assistant Director (Agri), Diglipur welcomed the Chief Guest, Up-Pradhan Mr. Ajit Bairagi, other PRI members and SHG members. She explained the aim of the programme i.e. to empower women and transform Self Help Groups into sustainable income generating producer organizations. Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme each Self-Help Group Member is sensitized through various hands on training to have an annual income exceeding Rs.1,00,000/- through adopting sustainable livelihood practices with an average monthly income of Rupees Ten Thousand (Rs.10,000/-) or more sustained for at least 4 agricultural seasons and/ or four business cycles.
During the programme, hands-on training on preparation of Vermi compost and Bio-pesticides like Jeevamrit and Neemashtra from the locally available materials was demonstrated, so that they can prepare and sell it to other farmers exploring the vast potential in view of promotion of Organic farming in the Islands. Further, the process of Cinnamon Extraction was also conducted in view of Promotion of Spices cultivation in the area and its vast demand in these Islands. Exploring the potential of establishing nursery by the SHG members for supplying plant saplings, vegetative propagation through cutting, air layering and grafting was also imparted during the training programme. Floral garland and Bouquet making as part of Value addition of flowers was also provided to SHG members. Altogether, 35 members of 6 SHGs namely Joy Guru, Maruti, Deep, Anmol, Ekta and Shiva of Kishorinagar, Parangara and Srinagar village under Kishorinagar Gram Panchayat attended the training programme.
Besides, deliberate details on other ventures like establishment of Custom Hiring Centre, establishment of shop for sale of seeds by obtaining License, establishment of nursery for sale of planting materials, Value added products of Fruits, Mushroom Cultivation were also briefed to the participants during the programme to increase their income.
Similar program was also conducted on 24.8.2024 at Spices Demonstration Farm, Kalighat where in 15 members of 6 SHGs namely Om Shakti, Sanjeevani, Sapna, Laxmi, Maa Saraswati, Color were imparted training to enhance their skills, knowledge for increasing their income for attaining a decent livelihoods. Mrs. Protima Roy, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat, Nabagram and other PRI members were also present to motivate the SHG members during the day long programme with enthusiasm.
It is proposed to organize similar programmes in Diglipur Block for all the interested SHG members for their capacity building and skill up-gradation.
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