The market potential of millet-based products as an alternative for imported oats-based products was explained to a group of prospective women entrepreneurs at a recent seminar organised by Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Tamil Nadu (WEAT).
With the State government according importance for organic and eco-friendly products, and the Central government also providing impetus to agro-based and eco products, the venture to manufacture millet based products will be gainful, participants of the day-long seminar were told.
Jaganathan, a Dindigul-based entrepreneur manufacturing millet-based products, narrated how value-addition could expand market for indigenous products. He explained that flakes of cumbu, maize, and wheat, along with vegetables and masala could be used to make nutritious porridge. Instead of imported oats, advocated for control of diabetes and cholesterol, indigenous minor millets could serve as the best alternative.
He called for an awareness campaign to drive home benefits of products available in ‘ready to cook’ condition not only for diabetics, but also children, and the aged for enhancing resistance and immunity power. According to Geetha Chandran, District Secretary of WEAT, and N.Manimekalai, Professor, Department of Women’s Studies, Bharathidasan University, the association has been continuously creating awareness on such products as well as providing skill training, to open up entrepreneurial opportunity for trainees. Products manufactured indigenously with minor millets including cumbu, ragi, thinai, and samai, have a large market as they could also be exported, Dr. Manimekalai said. Presiding over, WEAT president M. Inbavalli said following skill training, participants were felicitated to prepare project reports for starting enterprises and linked to the State government’s Unemployed Youth Employment Generation Programme (UYEGP) that has an attractive subsidy component.
Ms. Inbavalli offered to facilitate bank linkages to prospective entrepreneurs by contacting 0431-4200040, 9600779081 or 9488785806.
