TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 17, 2025 – Women self-help groups (SHGs) in Chhattisgarh have taken a significant step towards empowerment and nutrition security with the launch of “Ready-to-Eat” meal production in Raigarh district. The initiative, rolled out under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, aims to combine women’s economic self-reliance with improved health outcomes for children through nutritious food supplies to anganwadi centres.
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Sai handed over contract letters to 10 women SHGs in Raigarh, marking the formal start of the programme. With machines installed swiftly, production has now commenced at Kotarlia gram panchayat in Raigarh. CM Sai described the initiative as a milestone for women’s progress, stating, “This project will not only strengthen women’s economic independence but also ensure the delivery of quality nutrition to anganwadi children. Our goal is aligned with the nationwide mission of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis, and Chhattisgarh is moving rapidly in that direction.”
On Independence Day, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary inaugurated the first production unit in Kotarlia. He personally inspected the machines, interacted with women workers, and urged them to uphold high quality standards. “Raigarh has set the momentum for the state. This initiative will soon expand to all districts, becoming a model of women’s empowerment and nutrition security in Chhattisgarh,” Choudhary said.
Raigarh district, which has 2,709 anganwadi centres, has identified 10 SHGs to cater to their nutrition needs. These groups are also receiving capital subsidies under the Prime Minister’s Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. Projects from Raigarh Urban, Raigarh Rural, Pusaur, Kharsia, Gharghoda, Tamnar, Lailunga, Mukdega, Dharamjaigarh and Kapu blocks have been included in the initiative, with Kotarlia being the first to go operational.
The programme is part of a larger state-level pilot being implemented across six districts—Bastar, Dantewada, Balodabazar, Korba, Raigarh and Surajpur. Among these, Raigarh has emerged as the first to achieve operational status. The model is expected to create livelihood opportunities for women while simultaneously tackling malnutrition among children.
With women SHGs now at the helm of “Ready-to-Eat” meal production, the initiative is poised to not only generate sustainable income for rural women but also provide nutritious food to the youngest citizens of Chhattisgarh. The Raigarh launch signals the beginning of a transformative effort to combine women’s empowerment with public health.
