IRDP fair to showcase rural products

KOCHI: Onam is not complete without fairs and the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) fair is essentially the integral part of the festival.The fair is being organised by the district administration to help the rural folk market their products at attractive remuneration.This time the district administration is gearing up to organise the fair starting from September 3 at the Ernakulathappan ground.The final work is on considering applications and their allocation to various participants, N Vinodini, project director, poverty alleviation unit, said.  The event will be a five-day affair and will conclude on September 7. Various participants from 14 blocks will showcase their products at the fair.Products including handicrafts, food items, clay products and handloom materials would be showcased at the fair, she said.The Swarna Jayanthi Grama Rozgar Yojana scheme, which is popularly known as IRDP fair, has been a big hit in the district for the last several years.The government offers a subsidy to a group comprising 12 members or ` 1.25 lakh and a loan of ` 3 lakh. Individual subsidy is `10,000 for Scheduled Castes and ` 7,500 for general category.  Those who have been recognised as credible customers would find it easy to avail loans from the banks, she said. There will be 39 stalls in the fair this time.This time the administration is planning a target of ` 50 lakh. Exhibits from nearby districts will be showcased at the event. Eight stalls will be given to Idukki district. Two stalls will be allotted for Alappuzha, four for Palakkad, two for Thrissur and the like, Vindodini said.Unlike last year, this time the event is being organised with participants from within the state. Last time there were exhibits from across the country.  About 18 states had taken part in last year’s event. This time the honour has gone to the state capital, she said. Idukki district is likely to hog the limelight with a variety of products including  Marayoor jaggery, tea,  honey, spices and kudampuli.The coir products from Alappuzha is also on  great demand. So the self-help group has decided to set up their own stall this time.