Women show way for development at Ambegaon village

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Feb 22 (UNI) Women in Ambegaon village of of this district have proved that women empowerment, eradication of malnutrition, economic development is possible through the Self Help Group(SHGs).

However the fact was that no one from about 200 women members of the 16 odd SHGs here were aware of the importance of savings and SHGs, till a few years ago, but today their annual turnover of Rs 12-15 lakh speaks a lot about their entrepreneur skills.

Talking to UNI, senior member of the 'Punyai SHG,' Ms Kalpana Pradhan said their group, consisting of about 20 odd women, earned Rs ten thousand each by selling fertilizers last year.

''We have procured a license last year and sold fertilizers to the local farmers, we would like to add pesticides this year to book more profit,'' Ms Pradhan, who has studied only upto seventh standard, said.

In appreciation of their work, her Punyai SHG was honoured with an ideal SHG award from the State Bank of India (SBI).

The Punyai SHG has already booked the orders for fertilizers and now our aim is to accumulate funds for the pesticides, Ms Pradhan said.

Besides, fertilizers, the group also offers financial assistance to the fellow women and procurs interest on it.

All these women can not devote full time towards these initiatives, as they have their extra activities apart from their daily routine that includes household chores and the family profession of farming, informed social worker Ms Srilekha Vaze.

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