In a significant step towards promoting millet-based food products and empowering women in the region, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development inaugurated a millet food processing project in Moran, Dibrugarh district, on Saturday. The project, a collaborative effort between NABARD and Oum, a leading voluntary organization in the district, aims to provide training and support to local women in the preparation of various millet-based food items.
The inauguration ceremony marked the commencement of a 15-day training camp on millet food preparation, organized by Oum with financial assistance from NABARD. The camp has set an ambitious goal of training 90 women from local self-help groups, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to create a diverse range of millet-based products, including biscuits, cakes, and pizzas. This initiative not only promotes the consumption of nutritious millet-based foods but also empowers women by providing them with valuable skills and opportunities for income generation.
Sanjeev Handique, secretary of OUM NGO, Dibrugarh, highlighted the significance of this project, emphasizing the potential of millet-based food products in promoting health and nutrition in the region. Millets, known for their high nutritional value and resilience to adverse climatic conditions, have gained increasing attention in recent years as a sustainable and healthy alternative to traditional grains. By focusing on millet food processing, the project aims to tap into this growing trend and create a thriving local industry.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Pranoy Bordoloi, Director of NABARD, Pranabjyoti Panging, head of Khowang Development Block of Assam Rural Livelihood Division, and Prabhat Gogoi, Director of Agriculture Technology Management Department of Dibrugarh. Their presence underscored the importance of this initiative and the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in promoting rural development and women's empowerment.
NABARD's involvement in this project highlights the organization's commitment to fostering sustainable rural development and supporting innovative initiatives that benefit local communities. By providing financial assistance and technical support, NABARD plays a crucial role in enabling projects like the millet food processing training camp to take shape and make a meaningful impact on the lives of women in the region.
The training camp is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the participants and the local community as a whole. By equipping women with the skills to prepare millet-based food products, the project not only promotes entrepreneurship and income generation but also contributes to the overall health and well-being of the community. Millet-based foods, known for their high fiber content, low glycemic index, and rich micronutrient profile, can play a significant role in combating malnutrition and lifestyle-related diseases.
Moreover, the project has the potential to create a ripple effect in the region, inspiring other organizations and individuals to explore the possibilities of millet-based food processing and promoting the cultivation of millets as a sustainable and profitable crop. By showcasing the success of this initiative, NABARD and Oum aim to encourage more women to take up millet food processing as a viable livelihood option, thereby contributing to the economic empowerment of women in the region.
As the training camp progresses, the participants will gain hands-on experience in preparing a variety of millet-based food items, learning about the nutritional benefits of millets, and exploring the potential for commercialization of these products. The project's success will be measured not only by the number of women trained but also by the long-term impact it has on their lives and the local economy.
