DST Project to train tribal women of Anakapalli district in sustainable livelihood

As a part of project to empower tribal women through livelihood opportunities a skill development centre is being set up Kamkutam and Lovakothapalli hamlets in V. Madgula Mandal of Anakapalli District with the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The project is being taken up by Sowmya Injeti, an Assistant Professor in the Department of EECE, School of Technology, GITAM Deemed to be University, who has bagged the project from DST. The project aims to facilitate employment generation and encourage entrepreneurship for socio-economic development of ST women, to train identified beneficiaries in manufacturing products using the locally available agro-waste, to empower them through skill development and provision of livelihood opportunities and to establish a sustainable livelihood for the uplift of the tribal community.

“During our preliminary study, we have noticed that there were a number of banana plantations in the villages identified for implementation of the project. The banana stems are being discarded after harvest. We decided to convert the waste into wealth by opening a skill development centre, providing training and providing the requirement equipment to beneficiaries,” says Ms. Sowmya.

A ground breaking ceremony for the DST project’s Common Facility Centre was recently held at Kamkutam and Lovakothapalli villages recently in the presence of Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy and Arohan Tribal Society founder Surekha Patnaik.

Ms. Sowmya outlined the core objectives of the project, which focuses on the banana fibre waste extraction process and the need for liquid bio-fertilizers. These initiatives aim to empower the community by utilizing agricultural waste innovatively, promoting eco-friendly practices, and enhancing livelihoods.

“The equipment required for skill training would be procured as part of the project and installed at the project office. The project duration is three years during which the beneficiaries would be trained on fibre extraction, making of handicrafts, preparation of vermicomposting. The facility will benefit the villagers of Lovakothapalli, Kamakutam, Goppulapalem and Lovakothapalli. ,” she said thanking the management of GITAM and Konga Gopi Krishna from DST SEED Division for their support and guidance in taking the project forward.