Agriculture Department Hosts Exposure Visit for Women SHGs to Promote Value Addition in Agriculture

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 12: The Agriculture Department, South Andaman Zone in association with UTATMA organized an exposure visit under the Central Sector Scheme Extension (ATMA Scheme) today. The members of Women Self Help Groups from Ferrargunj Block and Prothrapur Block visited the Departmental Fruit Preservation Unit, Haddo and briefed on the functioning of the Unit and the importance of value addition of fruits and vegetables to enhance the income.
Addressing the gathering, the Joint Director (Agri.), HQ, Shri Ramesh Kumar highlighted the mandate of the FP Unit of the Department and also stressed the importance of value addition for self employment and income generation. The Joint Director emphasized that FSSAI Certification is mandatory for recognition of the quality of their produce which will provide them better marketability of their products and therefore advised them to get registered with FSSAI for their produce.
Dr. S.C Rekha, Assistant Director (Agri.),HQ highlighted the importance of maintaining hygiene in preparation of the value added food products by following proper cleaning and sanitization of utensils and also maintaining self cleanliness.
Altogether, 50 Members from three SHGs namely Netaji Self Help Group from Guptapara, Disha SHG from Tushnabad and Shakti SHG from Namunaghar participated in the programme. Smti Kamala, Smti Rama Haldar and Smti Nagavalli representatives of respective Self Help Groups shared their experiences of achieving a good success with their venture in value addition of fruits, vegetables and fish. Smti Kamala expressed her happiness over the fact that due to the support and hand holding of all Govt. Departments like Agriculture, KVK and Industries that starting from a small scale, today she is able to have counter at the airport and her products are being sold among the Tourists.
With the involvement of all the participants, lemon pickle-a value added product of lemon was prepared. This has helped them in learning things by doing themselves. The participants have shown keen interest in learning many things and requested the Department to organize more such event for them in future.