16 companies join AP govt to market products aimed at rural women and child development

The Andhra Pradesh government has inked a pact with 16 companies, including Mahindra & Mahindra and ITC, to market products under the DWCRA scheme in the international market. Launched in 1982, Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) is a central government sponsored programme which aims at improving the socio-economic status of poor women in rural areas.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the ‘Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth’ conference. The companies include Walmart, Mahindra and Mahindra, ITC, and Olam Agro, among others. Walmart would procure rice and chilies from farmers in Anatapur and East Godavari districts. It will also provide training in food products processing to women.

Women’s self-help groups will supply power generated from renewable sources to Walmart stores in Guntur, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada. As per the MoU, Walmart has to set up a dedicated unit to train women entrepreneurs. ITC, from its Guntur center, will encourage the cultivation of tobacco and chillies.

Olam Agro will take up the processing of coffee, cashew, chillies, rice and other products. It would also train women in processing of food products. Mahindra and Mahindra would provide training to farmers in agricultural mechanisation and also provide agri-business solutions to them.

The National Dairy Development Board will train farmers on dairy activities. Star Agriwarehousing and Collateral Management Limited will provide financial assistance to farmers for the construction of small godowns. RMAL Information Private Limited will develop mobile applications to provide information on the trends in agri- markets.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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