Jayant Patil announces initiatives for SHGs

PUNE: State minister for rural development Jayant Patil on Thursday announced that the ministry will establish a set-up to offer support for marketing and branding of items manufactured by self-help groups (SHG) and will also take a delegation of SHGs to countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia where they will be exposed to the technique of giving a fine finish to handicraft items.
The minister was speaking during the inauguration of the third edition of the four-day Bheemthadi Jatra organised by the Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, at the SSPMS ground here. State education and agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat and MP Supriya Sule were also present on the occasion.
Patil said women from the SHGs need to explore avenues like making finished handicraft items and move beyond just papads' and pickles. He said the finishing of any product played a vital role in its saleability', and that his ministry has started identifying SHGs in the state for the purpose.
"The rural development ministry is also in the process of forming a special set-up that will provide assistance for marketing and branding items with a professional touch, without working like a typical government body," he said.
He said that during his tenure as the state finance minister, he had mooted the idea of setting up packaging units at important districts where SHGs could go and package their items. The minister said that he was still interested in pursuing the project.
Thorat also urged SHGs to get involved in electronic assembly work, a field traditionally dominated by women.
The four day-long fair provides a platform to SHGs to market their various products and has largely contributed to their growth, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
The festival will be on till October 24, from 10 am to 10 pm. The event comprises talks by experts as well as cultural programmes in the evening. From amla' products, home-made vermicelli and pickles to organically grown farm produce, home decor, art, handloom clothing and utility items, Bhimthadi Jatra has 265 stalls with a special section for organic products.