Women's self-help groups have changed the picture of nutritional food supply.
00 They are also handling the responsibility of preparation of raw material, production, packaging, storage, quality testing and transportation
Raipur. Under the visionary initiative of Chhattisgarh Government, when the responsibility of local production and distribution of nutritious food to be distributed in Anganwadi centres was handed over to women self-help groups, then no one had thought that this step would bring such a big change in the lives of women. Earlier this work was done through Seed Development Corporation, but to make women self-reliant and to increase livelihood opportunities at local level, this important responsibility was given to women self-help groups. This change became the basis of their success story.
To implement this in Korba district, selected women self-help groups were provided specialized training in production techniques, quality control, packaging, and management. Modern production units were also established. Equipped with machinery, packaging equipment, and storage facilities, these units provided both a new workplace and a new perspective for rural women. When production began, women groups handled all responsibilities—raw material preparation, production, packaging, storage, quality testing, and transportation—with remarkable efficiency. Women received priority not only among group members but also among support staff, further expanding employment opportunities.
Working daily in these units rapidly enhanced the women's skills. They became decision-makers, not just participants. Their management skills improved, their leadership skills blossomed, and their collective decision-making power strengthened. Most importantly, these women now played a leading role in their families' economic activities. Regular income from producing nutritious food brought stability to the women's lives. Economic empowerment strengthened their families' positions and their self-confidence increased exponentially.
Women's groups are now providing quality take-home rations to approximately 72,000 beneficiaries. This will not only ensure timely supplies to Anganwadi centers but also demonstrate that village women are skilled and capable of handling any important responsibility with excellence.
