Prayagraj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spotlighted Pratapgarh’s growing contribution to the amla (Indian gooseberry) industry, highlighting how the traditional crop is emerging as a source of employment and new economic opportunities for farmers and women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).During the 138th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast, Modi also emphasised the importance of promoting local products, strengthening the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and combating malnutrition.Modi particularly praised the hard work of the ‘Savitri Bai Phule’ Self-Help Group, based in Devgarh Kamasin village of Raniganj tehsil. Under the ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) scheme, the women of the group have carved a niche for themselves by creating a range of products from amla.The Savitri Bai Phule SHG, started by two women in 2020, currently provides employment to 11 women. One of the members of the group said, “Operations began with the production of murabba (fruit preserve), and now a variety of products, including barfi, laddu and pickles, are being manufactured and sold, leading to a significant improvement in the women’s economic condition.”The PM also highlighted the Vindhyavashini SHG, whose members are producing amla pickles, digestive powder and other products. The group has received processing machinery, access to loan facilities and opportunities to connect with markets, enabling the women to significantly increase their earnings.Modi said amla, widely used in Indian households in the form of pickles, murabba, juice and chyawanprash during the winter season, has been associated with Pratapgarh for generations and has now become a source of new possibilities for local communities.“Amla has given Pratapgarh a strong identity and the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative has provided a boost to local entrepreneurs engaged in the amla trade,” he said. Around 100 amla-processing units are currently operational in Pratapgarh, with women associated with Self-Help Groups playing a significant role.The Prime Minister said every region of the country has its own distinctive product, traditional art or specialised skill, and the ODOP campaign seeks to promote these local strengths. “The ODOP campaign aims to promote these very specialties,” Modi added.“Our sincere endeavour should be to ensure that the identity of our villages and small towns is not confined merely to local markets and village products should reach other parts of the country and even global markets,” Modi said, adding that promoting local products also strengthens the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and contributes to the goal of self-reliance.He also appealed to citizens to keep the message of ‘vocal for local’ in mind during the upcoming festive season.
