A Strong Model of Women Empowerment and Nutritional Security: Launch of Modern Nutrition Food Unit

Raipur, April 2026: A significant step towards women empowerment and nutritional security has been taken in Chhattisgarh with the inauguration of a modern nutrition food production unit. The facility, set up at a cost of ₹90 lakh by the Belafool Women Self-Help Group, is located in Darripara village under the Integrated Child Development Project, Ramanujnagar, in Surajpur district.

Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade attended the event as the chief guest. The programme was also attended by MLA Bhulan Singh Maravi, along with other public representatives, officials, and a large number of members from women’s self-help groups.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Rajwade said that the state government is committed to empowering women economically and ensuring proper nutrition for children and mothers, in line with the guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She emphasised that the newly inaugurated unit is not just a production centre, but a strong foundation for the economic independence and social empowerment of rural women.

The state-of-the-art unit in Darripara village will ensure the regular supply of fortified sweet nutrition food and nutritious savoury porridge to 313 Anganwadi centres under the Ramanujnagar project. The facility is expected to produce around 30 metric tonnes of nutrition food, ensuring timely availability of quality nutrition for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition while also creating new employment opportunities at the local level. Women associated with the self-help group are actively involved in various aspects of the unit, including production, packaging, quality control, and distribution, thereby becoming economically self-reliant.

Highlighting the broader impact, the minister said that such efforts will prove to be milestones in realising the vision of self-reliant villages powered by empowered women. Localised production will also significantly improve the quality, freshness, and efficiency of the nutrition supply system.

The unit stands out as an excellent example of the convergence of women empowerment, nutritional security, and local entrepreneurship. The administration is encouraging such innovative initiatives to replicate this model in other parts of the state, ensuring wider social and economic benefits.