Page 68 - web version Annual Report-2022

Rural Economic Development and Prosperity program

Models for SHG centered Farm and Non-farm Livelihoods 15 blocks (sub-districts) connected SHGs with
local agri-markets, providing technical inputs for improving productivity and adopting new remunerative
crops and mechanism to access government investments improving livelihood assets.

The 263 Value Chain Actors (VCAs) deployed under this program created a strong
linkage with local market players for providing backward and forward linkages.

30693 women from SHG collectives were benefited through introduction of
remunerative crops, access to quality and reliable inputs and market linkages.
Further, 2028 young women also got support in the form of counselling to make

informed career choices and linkages support to start enterprises and access
formal jobs.

The crops introduced include Watermelons, Muskmelons, Okra, Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Marigold,
Brinjal, Wheat, Chickpea, Soybean, Hot Chili, Capsicum and medicinal plants like Macuna, Ashwagandha
and Chia seeds. These are high value commercial crops surfaced through the proprietary Agriculture
Production Cluster Toolkit which identifies potential high- income crops looking at the context of
farmers, their resource endowments; market opportunities and agro-ecological compatibility. In
addition, with market entities –Stevia, MAP (medicinal & aromatics), Marigold has been introduced.

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