MoU Signed Between District Administration and IIT Bhilai for ‘Poshan Pahal Sakhi’
Women to Run Layer Poultry Enterprise in Bharr itola; 50 Anganwadi Children to Receive Free Eggs Twice a Week
Initiative to Provide Sustainable Livelihoods for Women and Increase Protein-Rich Nutrition in Children’s Diets
Raipur, Sept 2026: An innovative initiative combining women’s empowerment, rural livelihoods and child nutrition has been launched in Chhattisgarh’s Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the district administration and IIT Bhilai for implementing the ‘Poshan Pahal Sakhi’ project in Bharr itola village.
While signing the MoU, Collector Tanuja Salam said the initiative aims to create sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for rural women while improving the nutritional status of children attending Anganwadi centres.
Under the project, a layer poultry enterprise operated by women will be established at the village Gauthan in Bharr itola. The enterprise will be operated with the support of the Tiranga Cluster-Level Organisation.
The project will provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to three women. At the same time, 50 children attending Anganwadi centres in the village will receive free eggs twice a week. This will increase the availability of protein-rich food in their regular diets.
The initiative is therefore designed to address two objectives simultaneously — promoting women’s economic self-reliance and improving nutrition among children.
Three-Way Partnership
‘Poshan Pahal Sakhi’ is based on a tripartite partnership. The district administration will provide the necessary infrastructure for the project, while IIT Bhilai, as the implementation agency, will provide scientific and technical guidance.
Abis Foods and Proteins Pvt Ltd (IB Group) will provide financial assistance under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
IIT Bhilai will also train women’s self-help groups in scientific poultry farming, biosecurity, financial management, enterprise operations and marketing.
The objective is not merely to involve women in poultry farming but to equip them with the skills required to independently operate and manage the enterprise.
The project has been targeted to become self-sustaining over the next three years. Following this period, trained women’s groups are proposed to take responsibility for operating the enterprise.
The initiative is expected to create a sustainable local model linking employment and nutrition, while ensuring that the enterprise can continue to operate over the long term at the community level.
Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat Ujjwal Porwal, IIT Bhilai Associate Professor and Principal Investigator Dr Jose Emmanuel R., Project Engineer Jenisha Beneton and CSR Manager of Abis Foods and Proteins Pvt Ltd Shivendra Dubey were present on the occasion.
