In a significant push towards rural women's empowerment and economic self-reliance, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has successfully trained over a hundred women's self-help groups (SHGs) from the Ludhiana district. The initiative, focused on agri-entrepreneurship and food processing, aims to transform these groups into sustainable micro-enterprises.
KVK Ludhiana Leads the Charge in Skill Development
The training program was conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Ludhiana, which operates under PAU. The primary objective was to equip members of women's SHGs with practical, income-generating skills directly linked to agriculture. This move is seen as a strategic effort to diversify rural income sources and reduce dependency on traditional farming alone.
Dr. Rupinder Kaur, a Senior Scientist at KVK Ludhiana, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the program. She emphasized that the training was meticulously designed to be hands-on, ensuring participants could immediately apply their new knowledge to create marketable products.
Mastering the Art of Food Processing and Preservation
The core curriculum of the training centered on value addition to agricultural produce. Women were taught advanced techniques in processing and preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables. Key skills imparted included:
- Production of high-quality squashes, jams, and pickles: Participants learned standardized recipes and hygienic methods for creating these popular consumer goods.
- Dehydration techniques for fruits and vegetables: This training covered methods to produce longer-lasting products like dried mango slices, potato chips, and vegetable powders, minimizing post-harvest waste.
- Baking and confectionery: The program also included modules on baking, enabling women to explore another lucrative avenue in the food industry.
Beyond technical skills, the training encompassed crucial aspects of entrepreneurship. Women received guidance on effective packaging, savvy marketing strategies, and maintaining stringent quality control to ensure their products are competitive in the local market.
Building a Foundation for Sustainable Rural Enterprises
The initiative by PAU's KVK is more than just a skill-development workshop; it is a launchpad for creating sustainable rural enterprises. By turning locally grown produce into value-added goods, these women's self-help groups can achieve better profit margins compared to selling raw agricultural commodities.
This model promotes a circular economy within the district, where produce is cultivated, processed, and sold locally, thereby boosting the regional economy. The empowerment of women through such agri-entrepreneurship ventures is expected to have a multiplier effect, leading to improved household incomes, greater financial independence for women, and enhanced socio-economic status for their families and communities.
The success of this training for over 100 SHGs underscores PAU's commitment to extending its research and knowledge beyond the campus and into the heart of rural Punjab. It aligns with broader national goals of fostering women-led development and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) at the grassroots level.
