To uplift the livelihood and financial conditions of the rural women value addition of minor millets can offer tremendous opportunity not only to income rather it increase national productivity and generates employment but also helps to develop economic independence and personal and social upliftment. Smt. Rathnamma is one such example who is from a small village named Gundamanatta in Srinivaspur Taluk of Kolar district. We have formed “Vaibhav Siridhanya Swasahaya Sanga” for processing of Minor Millets. We conducted a five days vocational on campus training programme on “Women Empowerment through Value addition, Marketing and Health benefits of Minor Millets” at ICAR-KVK, Kolar on from 3 to . In training programme, learned processing of minor millets in to different value added products like Diabetic mix, Upam mix, Dosa mix, Idly mix, Minor Millets rice and Pappads and their packaging. Accordingly, we have conducted awareness programme on production technology and their value addition at Gundamanatta on and same day distributed seeds for cultivation through Department of Agriculture, Srinivasapura and progressive famers. Looking at her enthusiasm and zeal, we have approached Dept. of Agriculture, Srinivasapura and facilitated procurement of minor millets processing machine at subsidized rate for the group. We have established “Minor Millet Processing Unit” at Gundamanatta. Linked for online marketing of value added products through “Farm Setu” online portal and helped to get FSSAI and GST number for marketing. Facilitated to start Savi Ruchi canteen at DC office, Kolar weekly once serves Minor Millets food in the canteen. She was awarded “Taulk Level Best Farmers Award” by UAS Bangalore. The entrepreneur expressed income generated was Rs. 480000/- per year. This helps employment creation and income to the farm women. | Women empowerment through processing and marketing of minor millets value added products: A way for doubling the farmers income
