https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Produce Locally, Sell Widely: Collector Gifts Roing Mart to Expose This Small Hilly District to Big Markets

Indian Masterminds Stories

Some major problems members of SHGs (Self Help Groups) face is lack of knowledge about marketing, licensing, proper orientation and how to carry forward their product to sell outside their places. The logistical problems are bring solved for them by the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh administration. Collector Soumya Saurabh, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has come up with a solution in the form of the ‘Roing Mart.’

It is a platform to support SHGs in marketing and selling their products. The objective of the Roing Mart is to create a common centre for various livelihood activities in the district, including agriculture and non-agricultural sectors. It will work like a centralized hub where SHGs can directly do their business, without any formality of documentation as all such responsibilities will be taken up by the Roing Mart.

Indian Masterminds spoke with District Collector Ms. Soumya to know about this initiative.

Collector Soumya Saurabh, a 2014 batch IAS officer

ROING MART

Dibang Valley is a hilly district in Arunachal Pradesh, a land of enchanting beauty with lush hills, undulated-rugged mountains and deep valleys of Himalayas. The district is famous for its organic products, from food to textiles. A lot of SHGs here are making organic food products as well. But they don’t know how to carry forward their products on a larger scale. They don’t know about marketing or getting a license. So with an objective of empowering SHGs, the Roing Mart will act as a common centre for various farm and non-farm based livelihood activities in the district.

Ms Soumya said, “We always wanted that SHGs should get a proper platform where they can sell all their products without any difficulties. They are making the products, but don’t know how to take these forward to better markets. But now with Roing Mart, SHGs can come under one umbrella and sell their products.”

She further urged the members of the SHGs to “not give up until your aims and objectives are fulfilled”.

IAS Soumya interacting with SHGs women

MAJOR BOOST

This initiative is a major boost for SHGs. Though, this initiative has just started and many things are still in process, a large number of SHGs have already connected with the Roing Mart.

Ms. Soumya said, “This initiative is just in the starting phase. We are working on licensing and getting the documents ready, like FSSAI License and others compliances. For the time being, we have made a common group of SHGs for selling products in the local market. Now they can come, collaborate and sell. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to find markets. But Roing Mart as a Entity is doing great and working for them.”

In Lower Dibang Valley, there are three Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), a scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under VDVKs, there are multiple SHGs. These SHGs have now come under the Roing Mart as well. The administration had also advised VDVK to ensure proper use of the manufacturing machinery and equipment provided to the SHGs.

Products at display made by SHGs women

PROBLEMS

A major problem for maximum SHGs is that they are locally producing the same products. And they don’t have an outside market because of the lack of awareness. So who will buy their products?

Ms. Soumya said, “We need to go out and sell it in other parts of country. We have many food products of really high quality. But to reach out to authentic markets, we need proper licensing. The journey towards proper institutional formalization has begun.”

She has assured the SHGs of the continued support of the district administration and the Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission (ArSRLM).

SHGs women with their product

FUTURE AIM

There are many other future plans for the SHGs, like marketing linkages on online platforms, providing lands, etc. “After getting license, we will register our SHGs to online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, etc. We will try to reach their products to stores under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as well,” the officer said.


Indian Masterminds Stories
Related Stories
NEWS
PESB
PESB Selects Surjit Mishra as Director In-Charge of Burnpur & Durgapur Steel Plants
smita_sabharwal-resized
Senior IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal Responds to Gachibowli Police Notice in Land Dispute Case
DFCCIL logo
Successful Trial Run on DFCCIL’s New Umbergaon-IR Saphale Section Marks Major Milestone
NTPC
NTPC Bongaigaon Supports Bodoland Artisans with New Dormitory Facility
BHEL_resized
BHEL’s Bangalore Electronics Division Receives GreenCo Gold Rating
SJVN
Rajendra Prasad Goyal’s Appointment to SJVN as Director (Finance) Extended - Know More About Him
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
GRSE Unveils New Logo on Its 66th Raising Day
SBI_resized
SBI Appoints Shamsher Singh as Nominee Director of SBI Cards & Payment Services - Know About Him
Videos
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
Meghashree D R IAS
How Wayanad’s Women Turned a Disaster into a Dream Project
UPSC Stories
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
IRS officer Padmapani Bora's 16-year career transcends typical bureaucracy. Discover his surprising journey...
IAS T Rahul Kumar reddy
How This IAS Officer Overcame 4 Consecutive Mains Failures & 1 Interview Rejection
IAS Officer T. Rahul Kumar Reddy’s journey to success was marked by perseverance through six UPSC attempts....
Indrajeet Sirra IFS new
How This IFS Officer’s Journey Teaches Aspirants to Never Miss Any Opportunity in Their UPSC Dream
Indrajeet Sirra’s journey to becoming an IFS officer after five UPSC attempts teaches aspirants the importance...
Social Media
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
Tiger
IAS Officer Sanjay Kumar Shares Mesmerising Tigress Patrol Video from Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
In the video, the tigress is seen cooling off in her preferred waterhole before embarking on her evening...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PESB
PESB Selects Surjit Mishra as Director In-Charge of Burnpur & Durgapur Steel Plants
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Videos
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
Meghashree D R IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT