The Hindu Business Line : CII to aid SHGs in selling products to Taj hotels

THE Confederation of Indian Industry (Southern Region) has initiated a pilot project to encourage linkages between self-help groups (SHGs) and institutional consumers.Initially, SHGs from Vellore and Kanchipuram will supply produce to the Taj group of hotels. A Chennai-based SHG, `Thendral' will supply a range of seafoods to Taj Coromandel. The pilot project is a part of Project-Rural Net, a CII initiative to facilitate marketing of SHG products. The project is guided by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd, a State agency.

A press release quoting Mr P.K. Mohankumar, Chief Operation Officer - Oriental Hotels Ltd and General Manager, Taj Coromandel, said the quality and delivery mechanism of fruits and vegetables sourced through SHGs was encouraging. This relationship could prove mutually beneficial with Taj able to procure fresh produce at competitive prices while supporting rural livelihood.

The Taj Coromandel will increase the volume of purchases in the next phase and extend it to other hotels in the group in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

According to the CII, with the demand for organic produce on the increase the SHGs can cater to this market. An effective policy intervention at the State and Central level with participation at the field level will accelerate the process.

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