Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 20 (HBTV): A self-help group in Lithiras village in Sukma district’s Chhindgarh block of Chhattisgarh is producing pure and natural jaggery from the sap of wild date palm trees, marking a significant step towards women’s empowerment and promotion of local industry.
The initiative is fostering self-reliance and economic growth in the community under the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement.
Speaking to ANI, Sukma District Panchayat CEO Mukund Thakur said, 'They have been provided training. We invited training partners, and on-ground training was provided to 20-30 women from 2-3 self-help groups at different locations. A few days back, I had the opportunity to taste that jaggery, and it turned out to be of excellent quality. We have started this training on a small scale, and we will now replicate it on a larger scale and connect more women to it.'
'We have chhind (wild date palm trees) here in abundance. After proper processing, scientific assessment, and obtaining certification from the food safety organisation, we plan to sell it on e-platforms like Amazon and Flipkart,' he added.
He further said that the product would be marketed locally in Sukma and neighbouring regions, including Malkangiri near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, as well as in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Anita Nag, Financial Literacy Community Resource Person, said, 'The SHG here is called Dola Self Help Group. They make jaggery out of date palm sap. We have received full support from the district administration, which also arranged trainers from Dantewada. They trained the women in tapping the wild date palm trees and processing the sap. We do not mix any additional sugar; only the sap is used to make jaggery.'
Alia Bhagat, Professional Resource Person, said that the jaggery is produced from wild date palm juice with technical guidance from trainers.
'A tree was identified, and the trainer demonstrated the entire process of tapping and processing. Women were also encouraged to practise it themselves. We are making efforts to scale up production. It is healthy, and we have the government’s support,' she said.
Dola SHG head Annu Sah also welcomed the initiative.
'I thank the Chhattisgarh government and the Chief Minister for this employment opportunity for women in rural areas. The sap is pure, and the jaggery is made naturally without any additives. This is also generating employment. Trainers were provided to us by the administration,' she said.
(ANI)