ITC boost to village economy in Munger - The Times of India
Mar 07, 2012
With a view to revitalizing the rural economy by empowering farmers in managing and conserving their indigenous resources, multibusiness Indian conglomerate ITC has partnered with rural communities and made several interventions in the villages under the Munger division at the HQ of which it has an industrial unit.
Christened 'Mission Sunehra Kal', the programme aims to ensure substantial increase in farm output and resultant income, livestock improvement, watershed management and development of dairy as alternative livelihood. "The mission is also to empower rural women and improve access to education for local populace," an ITC official said.
The social development initiatives of ITC have so far benefited 65,000 families of farmers. Besides, according to ITC statistics, 3465 women benefited from the schemes meant for women. Improved agriculture practices on 300 acres of land in four blocks of Munger have borne fruits as the yield has gone up, the ITC official said and added the watershed development programme was going on in 21 villages whereas primary education scheme covers 57,000 students.
Considering that livestock is an important source of regular income for farmers, ITC has been working for productivity increase through an integrated package of animal husbandry services comprising genetic improvement to ensure disease-free and resistant animals. In partnership with NGOs, ITC is running 33 cattle development centres that provide animal husbandry services across 430 villages.
Several other initiatives like formation of Milk Producer's Group, Dairy Cooperative Societies, promotion for cattle loan facility through regional rural banks and installation of bulk milk chillers have also been made, ITC sources said. A state-of-the-art milk processing plant is being installed at Munger to process milk.
It will benefit 30,000 farmers of the region. The project will have an initial investment of about Rs 100 crore and will provide immense direct and indirect employment opportunities to locals, said ITC Ltd's vice-president and head (social investments) Dr Ashesh Ambasta.
