AHMEDABAD, FEB 28
The first edition of ‘Sahayog Mela’ organised by NABARD Gujarat Regional Office, at Ahmedabad Haat, in Vastrapur area of Ahmedabad was inaugurated by Gujarat State Cooperative Bank Chairman Ajaybhai Patel, on Friday.
Four financial literacy vans, two of Ahmedabad District Coopeartive Bank and two of Saurashtra Gramin bank, funded by NABARD, were flagged off by Dukhabandhu Rath, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India along with D K Mishra, CGM, NABARD, Gujarat.
Among the dignitaries present were Archana Pandey, GM & SLBC Convenor, Bank of Baroda, M B Kalamthekar, Chairman, Saurashtra Gramin Bank, Vineet Dudeja, Chairman, Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank and senior representatives from various banks, government departments, institutional buyers, NGOs, artisans, farmers, SHG women, etc.
Speaking to the media, NABARD CGM D K Mishra said, “Ahead of the mela inauguration, a buyer-seller meet was held on Friday morning in which nine letters of intent (LoIs) were signed. Several institutional buyers, wholesalers, IT firms dealing in agricultural commodities through B to B or B to C model, representatives from commodity exchange, etc. participated and discussed their requirements and formalities with the producers. Thirty buyers, including BigBasket, and 33 sellers have taken part in the meet.”
Archana Pandey, GM & SLBC Convenor, Bank of Baroda, assured that all banks in the state will support the NABARD’s initiative to uplift the farmers and rural development.
Dukhabandhu Rath, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India lauded the efforts of NABARD in women empowerment by helping the SHGs and sakhi mandals.
The three-day exhibition-cum-sale event will remain open until Sunday, March 1, has a total of 80 stalls wherein, 50 producers from different parts of Gujarat and 30 from other states are participating. Their products range from spices, cereals, fruits, processed foods, handicrafts, handlooms, organic food items, home décor, woodwork, stonework, etc. The objective of the event is to provide a marketing platform to various farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs), artisans, women Self Help Groups / Sakhi Mandalis from the rural area.
Ezha Agathigal Maruvazhvu Sangam-run OfERR Nallayan Research Centre for Sustainable Development has introduced a healthy food called ‘Spirulina’ which will be for sale at Ahmedabad Haat, Shop No 34.
Speaking to navjeevanexpress.com, the Sangam’s Programme Officer, CSR Projects Jagadeesan said, “Spirulina is a food supplement with many benefits as it increases overall health and also helps to fight diseases by enhancing immunity. Our humble request is that all should buy it and access its health benefits and lead a healthy life. This is possible if you can spread the health awareness of Spirulina.” He can be contacted over 8056253075.
Gurdeep Kaur, secretary of Gur Sewa SUTS SHG, from Ludhiana has set up shop at Stall Nom 74. She said their group has 10 woman members and they are producing and selling cloth materials for summer as well as winter seasons. They regularly get an average income of Rs 5,000 and Rs 6000 per month. Their products are sold at their own shop in Punjab as well as NABARD-run melas without any middlemen.
Masthan Vali, a member of Bellary Handloom Weavers’ Society from Karnataka has put up stall at Shop No. 60. Vali said their 20-member society produces silk sarees priced in the range of Rs 4,400 – Rs 5,600 which fetch them a monthly income of Rs 25,000.
The exhibition is now open to the public. The entry is free.
