New complex to sell SHG products in M'lore

Buildings to be built at Edapadavu and Belthangady

Marketing home-made products like pickles, “happala,” “sendige,” fruit squashes, prepared by the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can be a big challenge.

To provide a platform for the SHG members to sell their produce, a community hall-cum-market complex will come up at Bejai in Mangalore.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on Monday, Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Shakunthala said that the complex was estimated to cost Rs 96 lakh. She felt that the cost could go up as the area identified for the building has loose soil. The complex would have to be constructed on pillars.

The department has already released Rs nine lakh and the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh under Swarna Jayanthi Rural Self-Employment Scheme for the purpose. The remaining amount will be raised through various sources, she added.

The SHGs will get the place with all facilites and no rent in the proposed three-storeyed complex. It is proposed to construct a hall to hold exhibitions and other programmes. The department also has plans to conduct training for SHG members in various skills.

She said “it will be a permanent platform for the SHG members. Community halls-cum markets have been provided at Bantwal, Sullia and Puttur taluks for the SHGs to sell their products.

A similar complex will also be coming up at Edapadavu in Mangalore rural and in Belthangady taluk. The action plan for both the complexes is ready and the department has already released Rs 10 lakh for the complex at Edapadavu.”
The products of the SHGs will be sold through Sthree Shakthi Federation in each taluk.

Through anganwadi workers, the department has started SHGs in urban and rural areas. Each SHG will have 15 to 20 members. There are 3,663 SHGs  in rural areas and 232 SHGs in urban areas of the district. The SHGs 55,993 members and they have so far saved Rs 33.11 crore.

The official said that Sthree Shakthi Federation has been constituted in each taluk. The Federation takes up training programmes to empower and strengthen SHG members.

Mobile unit

Shakunthala said that a mobile van has been flagged off, to sell the products of SHGs. The van will visit various places in Dakshina Kannada to sell the produce.

She said at present the van is selling the products of the Sthree Shakthi Federation of Mangalore. “We are preparing a route map for the van, so that it can visit the designated place on a particular day. We are identifying the fairs at the temples so that the van can be sent there to sell the products.

We are also looking into the movement of the people at various junctions, to station the van.”

After one month in Mangalore, the van will move to other taluks. A marketing advisor will be in the van to keep a track of the sale, she added.