Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Jan: The Rural Development Department of Uttarakhand, under its flagship Gramothan Project (REAP), organised a significant distribution programme on Friday at a private hotel on Rajpur Road, here. The event marked another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods and empower women engaged in agriculture and livestock rearing.
During the programme, the Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Sainik Welfare, Ganesh Joshi, distributed smart mobile phones to 42 Pashu Sakhis and A-Help workers, along with agricultural support and labour-saving equipment to 1,575 rural women. The initiative is aimed at reducing drudgery in agricultural practices, enhancing productivity, and ensuring timely animal healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Joshi highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and livestock keepers. He praised the remarkable contribution of rural women associated with self-help groups, noting their leadership in the “Lakhpati Didi” campaign. “Labour-saving tools will not only reduce the workload of women but also save time and improve their economic condition. With smart mobile phones, Pashu Sakhis will be able to provide round-the-clock animal health services, ensuring better care for livestock,” he said.
Under the Gramothan Project, women from six development blocks of Dehradun district were trained to serve as Pashu Sakhis and A-Help workers. Following the training, 26 women from Dehradun and 16 from Haridwar were provided smart mobile phones. In addition, 1,575 rural women associated with 45 village organisations under eight Cluster Level Federations in Dehradun district received agricultural tools such as spades, hoes, sprinkler systems, and sprayers. These tools are expected to significantly reduce manual effort, improve efficiency, and contribute to higher agricultural output.
Project Director and Additional Secretary, Rural Development, Jharna Kamthan, emphasised the transformative impact of the REAP project. “The initiative is playing a vital role in empowering rural women and making them self-reliant. Labour-saving equipment will not only increase their income but also help in controlling migration from rural areas,” she said.
The distribution programme was attended by several senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner, Rural Development, Naresh Kumar, Deputy Director (HR), REAP, Mahendra Singh Yadav, Project Director Vikram Singh, District Mission Manager Sonam Gupta, and District Project Manager Kailash Bhatt. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort of the department in ensuring the success of the project.
The REAP project continues to be a cornerstone of Uttarakhand’s rural development strategy, focusing on livelihood enhancement, women’s empowerment, and sustainable agricultural practices. By equipping women with modern tools and technology, the project is not only improving productivity but also fostering dignity, self-reliance, and resilience in rural communities.
