A GRAAM organised Capacity Building Workshop at CFTRI for Women's Self Help Group driven Social Enterprise

Grassroot Stories Jan 23, 2021 0 2087 Add to Reading List

CSIR-CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) and GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 20th August 2020 to provide a mutual technical – social collaboration for establishing rural livelihood initiatives in India. As part of the MOU CFTRI will extend the technology transfer of two products [Convenience flour suitable for Stiff Porridge(Ragi Mudde Mix) and Malted weaning food(Ragi Shishuposhan)] through technical training to the women entrepreneurs of Bilikere women collective Asare sanjeevini food products.

A weeklong training was conducted by Dr.Usha Dharmaraj and team from CFTRI, who has an expertise in processing of millets and pseudo cereals, weaning food, etc. About 14 women from Bilikere women collective - Asare sanjeevini food products have participated in the Training program from 18th Jan to 23rd Jan and learnt the process involved in preparing the above two products for their social business initiative at Bilikere. The training program was held at CFTRI.

Upon successful completion of hands-on training program, a valedictory and a certificate distribution program was held on 23rd Jan, 2021 at CFTRI. The Director of CFTRI, Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Executive Director of GRAAM Dr. Basavaraju R Shreshta, Head of TTBD at CFTRI, Dr.Rajeshwar Matche, Dr.Usha Dharmaraj and Dr.Satyendra Rao from CFTRI and the STAFF of CFTRI and GRAAM were present during the program. Ms.Susheela, Project Director, ZP Mysuru and Mr.Girish, EO, TP Hunsur and NRLM field staff were also part of the program. All the aspiring women entrepreneurs of Asare Sanjeevini food products were present during the program.

Director of CFTRI, Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh expressed that empowering women will empower the family thereby empower the nation. She appreciated the efforts of GRAAM and said that CFTRI will always be open to extend any technical support in making the initiative a successful one. She congratulated all the women and wished all the success to the aspiring women entrepreneurs.

While speaking Dr.Basavaraju thanked CFTRI for joining hands with GRAAM in its social initiative and agreeing to extend its support in such future initiatives. He explained about the uniqueness of this initiative and its convergence with the national interest like Atmanirbhara Bharath and Women empowerment. He said that GRAAM is working with all the four pillars of development such as the Community, the Government, the Corporate and the Civil society organisation. ‘Government need to seriously think beyond livelihood and focus on rural wealth creation. We need to work on creating for benefit economy than profit maximisation’ he said in his remarks.

Dr.Rajeshwar Matche welcomed all the participants and guests. While speaking he mentioned that social initiative for women taken by GRAAM is very unique and is a result oriented and feedback driven which made them to join hands with GRAAM. Dr.Usha Dharmaraj compered the program and thanked all the participants.

About the initiative:

GRAAM having a rich expertise in developing livelihood model for rural communities based on rural wealth creation principles will handhold the women entrepreneurs with necessary capacity building, training, mobilizing and motivating them to be find a sustainable livelihood. GRAAM also intends to develop a brand for products produced by the women entrepreneurs. The project aims at developing a resurgent economy in the rural India by adding value to the local agricultural produces. The program is expected to benefit the entrepreneurs as well as farmers in the rural areas. GRAAM will establish a millet-based value-added product manufacturing unit and will handhold the women entrepreneurs to streamline the business functions in a sustainable manner. The project is being supported by the Wuerth Elektroniks a 75-year-old multinational company which is a world market leader in the sale of assembly and fastening materials. WUERTH ELEKTRONIK INDIA Pvt. Ltd. is supporting this initiative under its Corporate Social Responsibility program.