Sri Lankan Delegation Visits Hamirpur District

Hamirpur, June 22, 2024 – Under the second phase of the Crop Diversification Promotion Project by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, a nine-member delegation from the Ministry of Women, Children’s Affairs, and Women’s Empowerment of Sri Lanka, along with JICA-Sri Lanka officials, visited the Block Project Management Unit in Hamirpur. The delegation toured the Center of Excellence in Bada and the Radhe Krishna Self-Help Group in Jandali Gujran. The main objective of the visit was to evaluate the current status of self-help groups, identify challenges they face, and explore potential solutions for their empowerment.

Dr. Sunil Chauhan, the State Project Director of JICA, mentioned that under JICA Phase-1, approximately 32 self-help groups have been formed in Hamirpur district. Various training programs have been conducted from time to time to enhance the value of these groups. He expressed that this visit would provide Sri Lankan officials with a deep understanding of significant efforts in agriculture and rural development in Himachal Pradesh and serve as an important opportunity for the exchange of ideas between the two countries. He added that the visit would boost the confidence of women involved in rural contexts.

The delegation visited the Center of Excellence in Bada, which focuses on vegetable crop nursery production. This center is specifically designed to meet the needs of advanced vegetable growers in Hamirpur district and surrounding areas. During the visit, Amit, an Innovative Activity Specialist, informed the Sri Lankan officials about high-tech nursery production. He explained that the center uses modern techniques such as plug trays and cocopeat to grow seedlings of vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, chilies, gourds, and cabbages without soil. The center can produce about 20 lakh (2 million) seedlings at a time, with five to six production cycles per year.

Following this, the delegation visited the JICA-supported Radhe Krishna Self-Help Group in Jandali Gujran, Tehsil Nadaun. Hamirpur Block Project Manager Jeet Ram introduced the group, highlighting their specialty in making papaya barfi. The self-help group also produces papaya barfi, syrup, vermicelli, various pickles, and chutneys. The Sri Lankan team engaged in direct conversations with the group members, discussing their structure, working methods, economic conditions, ongoing activities, and future plans. An exhibition of products made by the group was also organized. The Sri Lankan team encouraged the women, expressing admiration for their dedication and inspiring them to progress and become self-reliant.