Visakhapatnam: Across Andhra Pradesh, a government initiative is building women-led millet enterprises that link farms, kitchens and local markets into viable livelihoods.
In a modest training hall at SVR Industries in Pendurthi, Visakhapatnam, 30 women sat in a semi-circle as ingredients were measured with precision. Jowar powder was folded into moong dal flour, water added at careful intervals, and the dough kneaded until supple. Soon it was pressed into thin strands of noodles, later steamed and sprinkled with curry leaves and peanut powder.
On another table, fermented ragi java was whisked into a milkshake and reworked into a cold coffee variant. A participant from Srikakulam tossed cooked foxtail millet with cucumber, onion, mint, tomato, raw mango and pomegranate, finishing it with lemon and ginger juice, sunflower seeds, and a generous sprinkle of peanuts podi.
Leading the session was nutritionist Himanshu Kapoor, who guided each step with technical clarity and cultural context.
The three-day millet cart enterprise training workshop was organised by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Government of Andhra Pradesh, in association with Vishalakshi Innovations for Sustainable Ventures (VISV).
The program trains women in millet-based recipes, nutrition, hygiene, and cart operations to help them set up micro-enterprises. By processing locally grown millets into ready-to-eat snacks, beverages, and meals, the initiative aims to boost demand for the grain, improve rural incomes, and create market linkages from farm to consumer.
