The products made by various self help groups of district Barnala will have a single marketing platform named ''Asal Desi Brand'' under which products would be sold across the state and country. Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Punamdeep Kaur said that the district is proud to be home to a large number of self help groups mainly run by women.
Besides these self help groups the 'Asal Desi' brand will also serve as a marketing tool for the farmers that grow organic products like cereals, millets and make honey, murabba, pickle. Besides this the products of SHGs like durries, embroidered work, crochet etc are in great demand.
Under the first phase of this project, the best quality products will be chosen in each category. Thereafter, in order to increase productivity of the product maker, he or she shall be facilitated from RSETI, Punjab Agricultural University etc. In the next ways work will be done on labelling and branding the products and marketing them under 'Asal Desi' Brand
Under this initiative the self help groups will also be helped for getting requisite licence to ensure that the standard of quality of products is maintained. For labelling, branding, marketing etc the self help groups will be provided a building at block level and the main salepoint of Asal Desi brand will be established at the district administrative Complex Barnala from where locals can buy it.
Deputy commissioner conducted meeting with various departments today and prepared a blueprint for implementation of this plan that would lead to increase in income of the self help groups. SDM Gopal Singh, RSETI officers, cooperative department, GM DIC, NRLM, NULM, farmers from Barnala Farmers Association and others were present in the meeting.
Artisans to be registered under PM Vishwakarna Yojna
Deputy commissioner said that members of self help groups will be registered under the newly floated in PM Vishwakarma Yojana under which financial help and loan is given for training, purchasing tools on minimal interest rate.