Move to encourage rural entrepreneurs

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh government with an aim to develop the villages have signed an agreement with Facebook to promote rural entrepreneurs especially women. 

The AP Government with Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS) and Facebook signed a tripartite agreement to train the rural entrepreneurs to promote various arts, crafts, traditions, customs and other Andhra branded fashions across the globe. 

APIS have already selected 52 entrepreneurs and started training them in making of various articles that can be put for sale on Facebook. As part of the agreement APIS will help the rural entrepreneurs in training and representing them on the micro-blogging site.  

The idea was mooted after the tremendous response from Russian women on flower plait posted by an East Godavari woman. East Godavari district which is well known for its beautiful flower heritage have now became popular for flower plaits, after the flower plait post now many Russian women are showing interest in different style flower plaits for styling and decorating their hair in special occasions.  

Andhra Pradesh have several rural attractions like- food, art and crafts, culture, traditions, customs, dances, make-up styles, flora, fauna and very particularly attractable styles and procedures followed during the local festivals. Observing the response from the Russian ladies on flower plait and impact of the digital media, APIS have decided to utilise the opportunity to promote entrepreneurs from the rural pockets.

"It is a joint venture project and a tripartite agreement signed with Andhra Pradesh government and Facebook to promote the rural entrepreneurs. Initially 52 entrepreneurs were selected in Visakhapatnam and are now in training process.

Now with this agreement APIS will promote rural entrepreneurs across the state in a large scale. This is one of the big achievements after the state government journey towards the Digital Transformation of India," Winny Patro, Chief Executive Officer, APIS told The Hans India.