In yet another example of women empowerment in the State, members of Self Help Groups have started procuring paddy from farmers directly in different places of Subarnapur district. The SHGs under the ambit of Mission Shakti, are successfully procuring paddy from the farmers and strengthening the economic backbone of not only their families but also of the society at large.
With the SHGs putting up paddy procurement centers at convenient places within reachable distance to farmers and farmland, this has come as a blessing for both the sellers and the SHGs. The farmers are also happy with the women SHGs as there are minimal incidents of delay and rejection of paddy. Also, they could save on the transport costs they would generally bear to send paddy to bigger mandis.
Around 38 SHG groups have participated in paddy procurement during this Kharif paddy season in the district. With the proactive help from Mission Shakti officials, SHG members have made all arrangements for purchase of paddy which has been appreciated by the farmers.
Starting from checking the documents to scanning the iris and Adhaar cards, the women members are doing all the required paperwork in the mandis. They are also weighing the paddy bags and checking the moisture content to ascertain the quality of the product. The SHG groups get a commission per quintal of paddy purchased from the farmers.
Commenting on the success of women SHG groups, Collector Aboli Sunil Narvane said, “We are giving priority to the members of the SGH groups and the administration will help them to increase their income. We are also helping them to engage in income generating activities. We have given them training on paddy procurement and they are doing it successfully.
This initiative of the Directorate of Mission Shakti has the potential to become an important mode of income generation for the members. A proactive leadership from Mission Shakti Director Sujata Karthikeyan has made it a successful endeavour, added sources.