REASI: District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Babila Rakwal today chaired the valedictory function of the 15 day food processing training for women under Livelihood Enterprise Development Program (LEDP) held here at village Akhli in Block Katra.

This LEDP training is sanctioned by NABARD to NRLM (UMEED) to train 90 women SHG members in Food Processing in three batches of 30 trainees each, of which training of two batches has already been conducted, the current batch being the third batch.

She visited the displayed products made during the training period which included, amla jam, amla murabba, various pickles, chutney, mathi, badiyan, papad, masala tikki, besan barfi, dal barfi, panjeeri, etc. The District Manager NABARD explained about the details of the LEDP program which aims to provide funds for skill development of the SHG members. The District Coordinator, NRLM explained about the background and current status of the NRLM SHGs in the district and various activities the SHG members are undertaking. In the current program, efforts have been made to equip the trainees with basic food processing skills along with sessions on packaging, labelling, marketing, solar drying, etc., by arranging various specialists from the concerned departments and market experts.

During interaction with the women trainees, the DDC, focused on the need for skill development among the women folk in order to uplift their economic status and their wellbeing. She said that skilling is the primary step which should be further aided with necessary exposure to the technological and market developments so that they are able to keep pace with the market competition. She congratulated and motivated all the trainees and wished them great success in their future endeavors, so that they can cater to the huge economic potential available in the nearby towns of Katra, Reasi, Jammu and even the outside areas through various modes of online marketing channels. She also appreciated the coordinated efforts of NABARD and NRLM aimed at creation of skilled force of women SHG members.