TAWANG : A 15-day Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP) on value addition of finger millet for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) concluded successfully in Tawang on Saturday, strengthening efforts to promote women-led entrepreneurship and sustainable rural livelihoods.
The programme was organised by the Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU), Tawang under the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) in collaboration with and funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
During the training, participants received intensive hands-on instruction in converting locally grown finger millet into a range of nutritious value-added products with strong market potential.
Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo attended the valedictory function as the chief guest and distributed certificates to the trainees. Appreciating the millet-based food products and snacks prepared during the programme, she encouraged the SHG members to transform their newly acquired skills into sustainable enterprises by maintaining quality standards, adopting attractive packaging and exploring wider markets.
She emphasised that value addition to locally available resources such as finger millet can significantly enhance household incomes while preserving traditional food practices and promoting nutrition.
Earlier, BMMU Tawang BCLH-NF Drema Lhamu welcomed the gathering and presented an overview of the training programme, highlighting its objectives and the enthusiastic participation of women from SHGs across the district.
Resource person Dr Divya Pathak, Subject Matter Specialist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang, said the participants underwent extensive practical demonstrations on preparing a variety of value-added finger millet products. The training focused on improving processing techniques, product quality, hygiene and commercial viability.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy District Development Manager Keertika Kashyap said the programme, fully funded by NABARD and implemented by BMMU Tawang, also covered packaging, branding, marketing strategies, financial literacy and enterprise management to enable participants to establish sustainable micro-enterprises.
Tawang District Horticulture Officer Koncho Gyatso highlighted government initiatives such as Catch Them Young and the Arunachal Mushroom Mission, urging the trained SHGs to diversify their livelihood activities. He added that trained SHGs would receive preference while availing benefits under the Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana and other government schemes.
Tawang Deputy Director of Industries Tsering Drema briefed the participants on the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme and encouraged them to utilise it for establishing and expanding food processing enterprises.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment from ArSRLM, NABARD and district stakeholders to strengthen rural women through skill development, entrepreneurship and value addition, enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to the district’s rural economy. (DIPR)
