Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will join the ‘Sakhi Samvad Program’ in Gandhinagar on July 31st, congratulating and interacting with the women from self-reliant Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Gujarat. In 2021-22, for example, 8,500 women from Gujarat collected 5,000 metric tons of limbodi in just three months, generating an income of ₹4 crores.

Under the Neem Project by GNFC, limbodi is utilized for neem-coated urea, medicines, neem oil, and other valuable products. Women Self-help Groups (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 ₹4 crore.

Since its launch in 2010, the “Mission Mangalam” initiative, which supports women’s Self-Help Groups in the state, has empowered over 3.13 lakh women across 28 districts of Gujarat with professional training.

Over 27 lakh families in Gujarat are linked with about 2.79 lakh Self-Help Groups (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).

Microfinance has facilitated loans of ₹ 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 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. DeshGujarat