Highlighting the significant opportunities of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) Scheme for Self Help Groups (SHGs), Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) chairman, Obed Quinker, advised SHGs to efficiently utilise the scheme to enhance their income.
A press release by NBHM informed that the chairman was speaking as the special guest at the launching programme and distribution of tools and machinery under Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, government of India, by NBHM to the New Showuba Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) on May 31 at New Showuba Village.
Quinker said the PMJVM scheme offers a chance to leverage the abundant local resources in the state, ultimately benefiting the community’s livelihoods. He underscored the importance of recognising the marketing potential of various minor forest products like hill broom and bamboo broom, noting their high demand in other parts of the country. He then urged SHGs to efficiently utilise these resources and strive for greater success.
The chairman also underlined the importance of forming Van Dhan clusters in villages as a means to generate income and foster self-sustainability among tribal communities in the state. He then asked the VDVK members to work together cohesively and make effective use of the provided tools and machinery.
The programme was chaired by NBHM project coordinator and team member, Mhathung T Tsopoe, who briefed the gathering on the PMJVM scheme and outlined its objectives and guidelines to the Van Dhan members.
The village facilitator, Khumkiula, highlighted the activities of existing SHGs in the clusters; a brief speech was delivered by village council secretary, Ananchuba; the machinery was dedicated with a prayer by Loyir Baptist Church Pastor Kiujimkhiung.