44 Women from South Sikkim Trained on Pickle Making under Watershed Schemes of Forest Department Development is a process of Empowerment. Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) is a significant medium of poverty alleviation and empowerment of women. SHGs formed by women in different places have proved that they could indeed bring about a change in the mindset of the very conservative and tradition-bound illiterate women in rural areas. The concept of group formation is the best strategy to provide credit and the necessary mental courage for self-employment. A group feels more confident in approaching a bank or a Government Department for a loan or for benefit under a scheme. Grouping of women has increased their awareness and reduced the chances of exploitation by middlemen. Nine women Self Help Group (SHG) comprising of 44 Women members of Sadam and Nagi- Pamphok Micro Watershed under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP 1&2) in South Sikkim underwent a week-long training on Pickle Making for sustainable livelihood and self reliance. The main purpose of the training was to educate the SHG members how to utilize the locally available raw resources and how one can earn profit from them. They were trained on making pickle from about 18 items which are locally grown in their farm-yard which have high demand in the market. All the trainees enthusiastically participated in the week long programme which culminated with a valedictory programme on 25th of August 2014 at conference hall of Krishi Vighyan Kendra, Namthang South Sikkim. The programme started with welcome address by the beneficiary of Nagi Village followed by offering garlands to the Chief Guest of the programme Shri Anil Mainra, PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim. The programme showed the presence of many district officials, Watershed Committees, Project Coordinator, KVK and Officials, Panchayats etc. A short motivating and inspirational presentation in Power Point on Training and Capacity Building under IWMP was given by Shri Jigmee Hishey Bhutia, Technical Expert, SLNA. Shri M R Rai, Joint Director cum I/C DFO (T) South gave insight on concept of Watershed to the beneficiaries. Shri Bharat Rai, President, Sadam Micro-watershed presented small briefing on activities under watershed programme. Representatives from Sadam and Nagi Pamphok Micro-Watershed de-briefed on the training programme and stated how they are now benefitted from the training and how they have become more reliant. They were energized with the training and expressed their determination to make it successful and sustainable through micro-enterprise with creation of marketing federation of SHGs of Sikkim called “Samarth”. They thanked the Government of Sikkim and Forest Department for bringing out such a programme which has brought the concept of group formation which is the best strategy to enlighten women and provide necessary mental courage for self-employment. Shri Nischal Gautam, DFO (Wildlife) cum PIA (IWMP 1&2) South Sikkim expressed his satisfaction over the training programme which benefitted 44 women of south Sikkim. He informed that this programme would be implemented in other parts of the watershed villages in coming days where more number of women would be benefitted. Mr. Gautam also informed that training on Bamboo Craft in different villages have been carried out earlier and even training on bamboo craft benefitted differently abled persons working under Social Justice Department at Jorethang. Mr. Nischal Gautam also informed that other programmes like training on Bee Keeping, Beautician course, Bamboo craft, training on Turkey farming etc. would be imparted in different villages under watershed in coming days. He also informed that training on compost making may also be given to the villagers to give support to the State Organic Mission and also may improve livelihood of the farmers. Different activities like plantation of fruits, Broom, Fodder and forestry crop would be carried out. Soil and Moisture Conservation Activities, Dhara Bikash, making of terrace, jhora training, bunding etc, would be other activities under IWMP in coming days. Mr. Gautam also gave brief on problems of Solid Waste Management in towns and informed that the solution will only come from villages. He invited SHGs and Watershed Committees to commit themselves to be the solution for this problem by making organic compost out of Green Solid Waste which contributes for 63% of the total Solid Waste. If SHGs, Watershed Committees, Joint Forest Management Committees, Eco-Development Committees, Bio-Diversity Management Committees, NGOs and Social Group come up for the solution, the waste from towns could be divided into smaller quantities and transported to these committees in villages who can convert them to organic compost with vermin-composting or with other technology impartment under State Organic Mission and other schemes. Government Department may come up with bye back policy for initial few years to make it sustainable. This way dual objectives may be achieved viz. the solution for the problems of Solid Waste and the same could contribute to the State Organic Mission. Shri Mahesh Dawadi, trainer and owner of Green Grocer, a Pickle making Company briefed about his journey from an unemployed youth of a village to becoming an entrepreneur of a company, which was very motivating to the trainees. He also assured of possible help to the SHGs in marketing of these products. The Chief Guest of the Programme Shri Anil Mainra, PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim in his address expressed his joy over the participation of the women and their commitment. He thanked SHG groups and stated that he would provide every assistance he could to market these products and make this micro-enterprise successful as Lijjat Papad which has rolled over globe starting from small group in the village. He requested the SHGs to give utmost importance to Quality Control when these products are sold in the market. He asked SHGs to select a quality controller from within them and a coordinator who can coordinate with Officials and Departments. He also urged village groups to prepare themselves to solve the solid waste management problem by converting them to organic Compost. He informed of the consultation meetings with different stake-holders on Solid Waste Management and Organic Mission at Jorethang and Namchi, South Sikkim on 24th of August, 2014. The Programme ended with Vote of Thanks from the Beneficiary of the Nagi-pamphok Microwatershed followed by the Photo Session.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 04:56:29 +0000
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