In a powerful call to action on Friday, Chittoor District Collector Sumit Kumar urged local officials to kickstart a focused campaign aimed at boosting the livelihoods of rural women. This comprehensive initiative will leverage strategic support across agriculture, horticulture, other related sectors, and the vital activities of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
During a crucial coordination meeting, the Collector directed officials to meticulously craft detailed action plans, utilizing the annual credit programme to significantly bolster SHGs. He underscored the critical importance of providing widespread training in practical skills such as kitchen gardening, poultry, and dairy farming. This will be coupled with distributing essential seeds and conducting extensive awareness campaigns right at the community level.
“It’s essential that every Self-Help Group member is equipped with the knowledge and resources to transform everyday household opportunities into reliable, sustainable income streams,” stated Mr. Sumit Kumar. He highlighted that ‘kitchen gardens, poultry units, and dairy farms have consistently demonstrated their ability to provide a significant boost to the rural economy.’
Beyond economic empowerment, the Collector also tasked Anganwadi staff with organizing vital nutrition awareness camps for pregnant women. This mission-driven effort will pay special attention to supporting malnourished children, ensuring they receive all necessary assistance. Furthermore, he mandated regular inspections of Anganwadi centers and required field staff to submit periodic progress reports.
In a forward-thinking move, Mr. Sumit Kumar further directed the Agriculture Department to train women in modern agricultural techniques, including drone-based farming, sustainable natural cultivation practices, and the promotion of nutritious millets. He also urged officials to prioritize the tissue culture of high-value horticultural crops like bananas and papayas, particularly within the eastern mandals of Chittoor district, such as Nagari, Vijayapuram, Karvetinagaram, and SR Puram.
Finally, the Collector reiterated his directive for officials to actively identify women dairy farmers, provide crucial support for fodder development, and ensure that the various government schemes designed for their benefit truly reach those who need them most.