Agartala: Unakoti DM pushes market linkages for SHG products at buyer-seller meet
Agartala, June 2
In a major initiative aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting women-led enterprises, District Magistrate and Collector of Unakoti, Megha Jain, on Monday, emphasised the need for robust market linkages for products manufactured by Self-Help Groups during a special Buyer-Seller Meet organised by the Unakoti District Mission Management Unit of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission.
The event, held at the Conference Hall of the District Magistrate's Office, brought together representatives of SHGs from Kailashahar and Kumarghat subdivisions, local traders, buyers, and district officials. Additional District Magistrate Sagar Shobhan Debnath was also present.
Addressing the gathering, DM Megha Jain highlighted the remarkable efforts of SHG women in producing a diverse range of products, including soaps, green tea, sanitary pads, toys, garments, eco-friendly bags made from water hyacinth, bamboo shoots, pineapple products, baby corn, and cleaning materials.
"Our sisters are continuously learning new skills and creating quality products. However, true women's empowerment can only be achieved when these products find the right buyers and sustainable markets," the DM said.
The District Magistrate appealed to local traders and business establishments to procure SHG products and make them available through their retail outlets, thereby creating a reliable market ecosystem for rural women entrepreneurs.
Earlier in April, Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu distributed ducklings to women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) at Lok Bhawan, aiming to strengthen rural livelihoods and promote sustainable income generation.
The distribution programme covered five SHGs under the Old Agartala RD Block and was organised as part of livelihood augmentation initiatives undertaken by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission.
The Governor lauded the mission's efforts in creating employment opportunities and enhancing income avenues for rural communities.CEO of TRLM Tarit Kanti Chakma, West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Vishal Kumar, along with other officials, were present during the programme.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Tripura, I'm proud to see our district administration focusing on grassroots development. The DM's point about "true empowerment only when products find buyers" is spot on. But I hope they also work on quality certification and packaging - many rural products fail despite good quality because they don't look attractive. Also, digital platforms like ONDC could help these women reach customers beyond Agartala. Just my two paise!
This is impressive community-driven development! The product diversity from water hyacinth bags to bamboo shoots is remarkable. It reminds me of similar initiatives in rural India that are now selling globally through Fair Trade. Would love to see more such events scale up - perhaps with corporate tie-ups and e-commerce integration. The Governor distributing ducklings to SHGs is also a smart move for sustainable livelihoods. 👏
Good initiative but let's be honest - these buyer-seller meets often become photo ops. The real challenge is sustaining these linkages beyond one event. I've seen SHGs in my district where after initial excitement, products pile up because local traders prefer branded items with better margins. The administration should create a dedicated marketplace or monthly haat for these products. Still, kudos to DM Jain for starting the conversation. The duck distribution program is also practical - quick returns for rural women.
Love the emphasis on eco-friendly products like water hyacinth bags! This is exactly how we can turn environmental challenges into livelihood opportunities. The DM's appeal to local businesses is crucial - if every shop in Kailashahar stocks at least one SHG product, these women would have stable incomes. Also, sanitary pad manufacturing by SHGs is so important for menstrual health awareness in rural areas. Win-win for empowerment and sustainability! 🌿🌸
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