Katra, February 19,2026 -In a significant push towards women empowerment and rural livelihood generation, a 15-day skill development programme on wool products has been launched at Kakryal in Katra, benefiting 35 rural women from Reasi district.
The training programme has been organized by the Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission under its flagship UMEED initiative. The programme aims to enhance self-employment opportunities and strengthen sustainable income sources for women in rural areas.
During the intensive training, participants will receive hands-on experience in operating knitting machines, designing woollen garments, and producing high-quality, market-ready wool products. Trainers will also guide the women on product finishing, quality control, and packaging to help them compete effectively in local and regional markets.
Officials said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote women-led entrepreneurship in Jammu & Kashmir. By equipping women with technical skills and production knowledge, the programme seeks to enable them to establish micro-enterprises and contribute to their household incomes.
The women participating in the programme largely belong to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed under the UMEED project. The initiative not only enhances skill development but also fosters financial independence and social empowerment among rural women.
Local authorities expressed confidence that such livelihood-oriented training programmes in Katra and Reasi will create sustainable economic opportunities and encourage more women to take up entrepreneurial ventures in the wool and handicrafts sector.
The skill development initiative is expected to further strengthen the SHG network in Reasi district and boost the production of locally-made woollen products, especially ahead of the winter season.
