SHGs find space with organic products in city

As many as 40 stalls were on display at the Annai Teresa Women’s Complex, with women entrepreneurs taking center stage. It is the third monthly event organised by the TNCDW, after a break in the last three months following Gaja Cyclone.

The products on sale include fruits, vegetables, greens, rice and pulse varieties, cooking oils and organic value-added products, including food items and detergents, apart from substitutes for plastic items, in the form of areca nut products, and products made of mandharai leaves, etc. Talking to DT Next, B Senthil Kumar, executive, Tamil Nadu State Supply and Marketing Society, TNCDW, said that the idea is to engage women self-help groups to meet the growing urban demands for organic products.

The SHGs are chosen by the district officer who carefully studies the product to ensure they are 100 per cent organic. This means that for value-added products, even the inputs have to be organic. The list is forwarded to the department every month and the chosen groups are included in the event, with representations from all districts in the State.

The department aims to have such events across districts in the future, Senthil added.