Bhubanswar: Amid lockdown on account of Coronavirus, Women Self Help Groups in Odisha effectively managing paddy procurement, PDS, making masks, oversee MGNREGS, various activites in coordination with the state government.
In their committed journey during lockdown, Women Self Help Groups of Mission Shakti have been making masks on a mission mode to make it available to the poor and vulnerable people at affordable prices of Rs 10 to 15 across the state. They have touched an ambitious target of having made more than 6 million masks. This has helped meet the needs of local people who can avail cotton masks at reasonable rates. It has also given a means of livelihood to 15000 SHG members during this crisis.
Women SHGs during lockdown have prepared 1.5-cr meals, distributed 80 lakh take home rations & have a key role in creating COVID awareness.
More than 2000 Women Self Help Groups of Mission Shakti have effectively managed their allotted Fair Price Shops under the Public Distribution System across the state. By distributing around 6lakh quintals of PDS food grains and other essential commodities like kerosene oil in advance for three months to more than 14.5lakh beneficiaries,they have ensured smooth access of food grains and ensuring food security during #OdishaFightsCorona
Due to relaxation of lockdown restrictions in some areas, execution of more than 2000 farm ponds are now being supervised by SHGs showing their commitment in#Odisha’s fight against COVID19 pandemic.Mission Shakti commends the SHGs pioneering women’s supervision in MGNREGS work. Members from 7498 Women SHGs of Mission Shakti across the state have been involved as site supervisors to oversee MGNREGS farm pond work sites and labourers – a job that is generally done by men. More than 4000 Mission SHGs have taken up fish farming in GP tanks across the state.Due to relaxation of restrictions in certain areas,fishing operations have started and more than 800 SHGs have harvested and supplied 3123 quintals of fish to the local people worth Rs 4.52cr.
Extending their helping hands, to vegetable growers, more than 500 SHGs have so far purchased 1600 quintals of surplus vegetables worth 30 lakh from more than 1500 farmers.These groups have also earned an income of Rs 8 lakh. With the help of Horticulture officers across 17 districts, direct linkage between the farmers having surplus vegetables and Women Self Help Groups of Mission Shakti have been established to prevent the farmers from distress sale of perishable produce.
Dairy is an integral livelihood option in rural #Odisha and more than 2000 SHGs of Mission Shakti have adopted this as a supplementary livelihood activity. At a time when the corona induced lockdown has brought many income generating activities to a halt, SHGs across the state have ensured sale of nearly 21.6 lakh liters of milk worth Rs 6.48 crore generating an income of Rs 2.5 crore.
Having been trained in computers and equipped with Laptops, Printers and Iris scanners which are mandatory under the online #Paddy Procurement Automation System,112 Mission Shakti SHGs from 7 districts are eagerly waiting to take up paddy procurement under Rabi 2020. This will ensure the right procurement price to farmers during the #Covid lockdown while enabling the SHGs to add to their income.
Recently Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced incentive for Mission Shakti Self Help Groups managing free kitchens across the state during lockdown. More than 7000 SHGs have come forward to provide nearly 1.48 crore meals till now.
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