Balangir: At a time when the economic sectors all over the country have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic putting livelihoods of the people at greater risks, the district-level community sales outlet in Balangir has become a symbol of resilience. It has been helping local women self-help groups (SHGs) to survive the crisis and keep their entrepreneurial journey on a higher trajectory.
Women SHGs, which are the outcome of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Mission Shakti movement, are tapping the opportunities created for their self-reliance and economic empowerment in the district.
The District Level SHGs’ Sales Outlet in Balangir town provides a prefect platform for these rural entrepreneurs to showcase their products and keep the sales going beating the challenges of COVID-19 induced lockdowns and shutdowns.
More than 30 SHGs from both rural and urban areas are directly and indirectly selling their products at the outlet following COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing norms of the government.
In the outlet, the members of SHGs have put over 200 products such as vegetables, fruits, home-made pickles, dry fruits, turmeric, pluses, handicrafts and handloom items, masks and other products which are produced by the members of the women SHGs themselves. The prices of the products range from Rs 5 to Rs 300.
Despite the economic slowdown, the demand for SHG products remains unchanged and attracts customers. Between April 2020 and July 2020, the rural SHGs, which are mostly selling food items, have registered sales worth Rs 2.5 lakhs, compared to Rs 3 lakhs during the December 2019-March 2020 period. They have set a target of Rs 12 lakh sales for the year 2020-21.
The urban SHGs, which are mostly marketing the handicraft and handloom items, have recorded sales worth Rs 4 lakhs between April 2020 and July 2020 period, compared to 3.5 lakhs in the December 2019-March 2020 period. They are targeting to achieve sales worth Rs 14 lakhs for the year 2020-21.
The district level sales outlet, which is being managed by two SHGs and PGs and supported by DRDA, OLM, ORMAS and the Municipality, has helped the members to sell their products and not only earn their livelihood in the vicinity of their dwellings, but also exhibited their collective entrepreneurial skills.
During lockdown, the women members of SHGs supplied vegetables, grocery, ration, masks, sanitizers at the doorsteps of the people. Special karts also were set up in different locations in the district. The members also provided coocked food to the destitutes and helpless persons.
The Self Help Group members have also risen to the occasion and provided a vital link between the district administration and community in the fight against COVID-19.