ITDA to set up Giri Mart at Bhadrachalam to promote tribal livelihoods

The ITDA, Bhadrachalam, is setting up a Giri Mart to provide a centralised platform for tribal producers. The mart, to be inaugurated by Sri Rama Navami, will sell food items, forest produce and essential commodities made by tribal SHGs.

Kothagudem: The authorities of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Bhadrachalam have planned to set up a ‘Giri Mart’ at Bhadrachalam town in the district

According to the ITDA project officer, B Rahul the initiative is aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities of tribals in the district as well to make quality food items, essential commodities and forest products collected by the tribals available to the public.

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Women self-help groups and adivasi families that have been running small scale industries would be given the opportunity to sell their products at the mart, which would be a centralised platform for their business, the official said.

There are several women SHGs such as Srirama Joint Liability Group that has been making healthy millet snacks and a group of women marketing scented phenyl, gel candles and washing powder while some are producing cold pressed cooking oils. The Giri Mart would benefit them.

The work of renovating and modifying Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) Giri Bazaar is underway at Bhadrachalam for setting up Giri Mart on the lines of ‘Mahila Mart’ set up in Khammam. It is planned to open the mart by Sri Rama Navami festival in March.

The GCC personnel have been engaged to collect data and catalogue products available in all the mandals in the district. The product samples are being gathered to check their quality prior to their sale at Giri Mart, ITDA officials informed.

The officials are hoping that since Bhadrachalam town is a famous pilgrimage centre with devotees from across the State visiting Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam every day the mart would be a success if it is promoted among them besides the local customers.