JKRLM, NABARD Join Hands For Rural Mart Startups For SHGs

SHOPIAN- Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) Tuesday inaugurated a Rural Mart at Shopian.

JKRLM and NABARD have extended the grant support to Self Help Groups (SHGs) promoted under JKRLM for setting up of these Rural Marts.

These marts, first of which was inaugurated today at Shopian, aims to promote and provide the platform for marketing the local handmade products produced by the women SHGs.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by SSP, Shopian, Tanushree; ADDC Shopian, Manzoor Hussain, CGM, NABARD, Dr AK Sood and Additional Mission Director NRLM, Reyaz Ahmad Beig.

The mart has been set up in main town Shopian under NABARDs rural mart scheme, to provide a platform for SHGs to sell their handmade products ranging from craft items, clothing, handloom and handicraft products, home-made food items, dry fruits among others.

NABARD has committed to provide the financial support to the tune of Rs.4.79 lakh for each rural mart for a period of 03 years. The components such as shop rent, salary of salesman, marketing and other miscellaneous expenses shall be provided by NABARD.

SSP Shopian Tanushree said that the rural mart to be run by female SHGs was the first step towards women empowerment in the district.

CGM NABARD, Dr Sood encouraged the female SHG members to use the mart as an opportunity for economic development and ensure the continuity, quality and quantity of local goods for locals as well as tourists.

Additional Mission Director JKRLM appreciated the SHGs for being a step ahead for such a unique initiative in the district.

The event was attended by members of various SHGs in the district.

Deputy General Manager NABARD Surinder Singh, District Development Manager NABARD Rouf Zargar, DPMs JKRLM Uzma Mehraj and Irfan were also present on the occasion.

It is worth mentioning here that NABARD has collaborated with JKRLM for extending the grant support to SHGs promoted by JKRLM for setting up of Rural Marts.