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.

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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”.

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.

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).

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.