The Dwcra (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) groups in Andhra Pradesh have recorded their success on a foreign land as well.
A 15-member Dwcra team, which participated at a 10-day consumer fair in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has achieved sales of Rs 80 lakh from their products with price ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 1,500.
More than the orders, the Dwcra groups very hopeful of getting fresh orders from Sri Lanka. The state department of women empowerment & self-employment has organised the trip for Dwcra groups with an aim to give exposure to international markets and instill confidence among them.
Andhra Bank has paid the rental for the five stalls allotted to Dwcra groups, while Indian Airlines has given a 50 per cent discount on freight. Fapcci has also given a grant of Rs 25,000 for the trip.
Sharing the success of Dwcra groups in Colombo, B Gopalakrishna Reddy, the minister for Dwcra and employment generation, and C Ramalakshmi, the commissioner of women empowerment & self employment, said that many items produced by the Dwcra groups were in great demand in Sri Lanka.
They hoped that bulk orders would come from Sri Lanka for cotton sarees, agarbathis and herbal products.
With the success, the state government plans to display and market the Dwcra products on permanent basis through Sri Lankan handicrafts and handloom development corporation.
There is also a proposal to set up an export-oriented apparel units in the state as a joint venture with Dwcra groups.
