Over 2.79 lakh self-help groups in Gujarat support 27 lakh families: Officials

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) July 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made women's empowerment a central pillar of his vision for India's advancement, with a special emphasis on uplifting women in rural areas, according to an official statement.
"The aim is to enhance their role in the national economy and foster self-reliance. The "Mission Mangalam" initiative, which supports Women's Self-Help Groups in Gujarat, has achieved remarkable success under the vision. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, self-help groups (SHGs) have been significantly strengthened in the state," it added.
On July 31, CM Patel will join the 'Sakhi Samvad Programme' in Gandhinagar, congratulating and interacting with the women from these self-reliant SHGs. The transformational story of women from the villages of Gujarat has emerged as a beacon of inspiration. In 2021-22, 8,500 women from Gujarat collected 5,000 metric tonnes of limbodi in just three months, generating a remarkable income of Rs 4 crore, the release stated.

"Under the Neem Project by GNFC, limbodi is used for neem-coated urea, medicines, neem oil, and other valuable products. SHGs of Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC) are engaged in collecting limbodi and generating income through its sale. During the year 2021-22, between May and July-- the peak ripening season of limbodi--8,500 women from self-help groups across 15 districts in the state gathered the product and collectively earned an impressive Rs 4 crore," it added.
Since its launch in 2010, the statement claimed that Mission Mangalam has empowered over 3.13 lakh women across 28 districts of Gujarat with professional training. This initiative has greatly enhanced their confidence, inspiring many to launch their own businesses and improve their family's financial prospects.

The statement further added that over 27 lakh families in Gujarat are linked with SHGs. Among them, over 23 lakh women have gained the benefits of life insurance and health security through the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
It added that microfinance has facilitated loans of Rs 4338 crore to 118,000 SHGs across the state for various activities. Additionally, 113,287 new SHGs have been formed, and 156,214 groups have been reactivated. Gujarat now proudly supports a total of 269,507 active Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
To tackle malnutrition and enhance income opportunities for women, the promotion of Agri-Nutri Gardens is actively encouraged. Self-help Groups (SHGs) receive high-quality seeds to cultivate these gardens. To date, 726,495 households have benefited under this initiative. Besides, annual fairs such as Saras Mela, Regional Fairs, Rakhi Mela, and Navratri Fairs offer women valuable market platforms to sell their products, thereby supporting their livelihoods, it said. (ANI)