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DIMAPUR — The 6th regional Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) fair, which commenced on Wednesday at Dimapur Club, Midland, was inaugurated by DC Dimapur Sachin Jaiswal.
According to a DIPR report, speaking as the special guest, Jaiswal said that the majority of Nagas are involved in agri and other allied activities, including growing naturally organic products, which provides a very good opportunity for producing premium organic products.
He did, however, mention the problems of a lack of cold storage, market linkage, and bulk production, which raise the price of the products. He therefore encouraged the self help groups (SHGs) and artisans to make extra efforts to compete with other premium products.
Jaiswal encouraged SHGs to obtain the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) certification, emphasising the importance of showcasing their brand and informing them that having the certification makes it easier for SHGs to obtain bank loans. He also mentioned that SHGs can obtain loans via the Chief Minister's Micro Finance Scheme to purchase transportation vehicles.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]He asked SGHs to be active on social media and advertise their products on various media platforms in order to reach people outside the country.
Mission director, Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), Imtimenla, said on the occasion that the main objective of the fair is to bring local artisans and SHGs onto a platform where they can promote, sell, and export their products to larger customers with no middlemen involved.
She stated that organising such fairs would maximise exposure and foster a competitive spirit among SHGs. She also informed them that the SHGs that have potential are selected and sent to national SARAS fairs held in different parts of India, where they are given the opportunity to advertise and sell their products.
Imtimenla said that the NSRLM signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the department of Health and Family Welfare to obtain FSSAI certification for the NSRLM brand 'Womenfolk,' where all of the ingredients, nutritional values, and shell life will be displayed on the packaging.
She encouraged the SHGs to maintain the highest level of product quality and to seek the assistance of NSRLM officials if necessary.
Altogether, 37 participants from 16 districts of Nagaland and one SHG from Meghalaya are participating in the fair which will conclude on September 25. The fair will be open between 9 am and 6 pm.