Direct engagement ensures market linkages for rural producers in Rajasthan

The direct engagement evolving among the self-help group (SHG) enterprises, producer groups, farmer producer organisations, and leading institutional buyers in Rajasthan has led to the creation of market linkages for rural producers. The value chain integration has especially helped the women-led rural enterprises.

Several leading companies signed letters of intent (LoIs) at an event in Udaipur over the weekend, expressing readiness for large-scale procurement from SHG enterprises. The high-volume purchase interests were shown in spices, cereals, honey, livestock breeds, and natural farming products.

The occasion for signing of LoIs was a national workshop on agriculture and livestock entrepreneurship organised under the aegis of Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad and the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

The Ajeevika Vikas Parishad showcased market-ready commodities from across 41 districts in the State, representing the work of thousands of SHG women engaged in the production of spices, honey, livestock products, cereals, natural farming produce, and processed foods.

The representatives of two dozen companies from the food, agriculture, spices, livestock, processing, and export sectors witnessed the products and had interactions with the rural entrepreneurs and leaders of the community institutions.

Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project CEO R.V. Shajeevana was among the experts who addressed the workshop. Ms. Shajeevana threw light on the key initiatives and institutional strategies adopted in Tamil Nadu for advancing market access and enterprise development. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary (Rural Livelihood), Ministry of Rural Development, was also present.

The partnerships stemming from the LoIs indicated a strong demand for Rajasthan’s SHG-produced commodities and opened new avenues for long-term trade arrangements. Besides, multiple buyers expressed readiness to integrate SHG women into procurement, processing and logistics chains.

Ajeevika Vikas Parishad’s Mission Director Neha Giri said the creation of new platforms would expand rural value chains, deepen the livelihood diversification and enable thousands of SHG women to become sustainable entrepreneurs and key contributors to the rural economy.