Building on a successful April initiative in Alangulam, Tenkasi, three women’s self‑help groups in Vannikonenthal, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, have launched a new ready‑to‑wear garment facility.

Supported by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, this project was development with an investment of Rs 1.15 crore and brought together 20 SHG members to partner with a major exporter in the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Valliyoor. It now employs 80 women directly and supports over 200 indirectly, producing not only ready‑to‑wear garments but also embroidery, pattern‑making, cutting, stitching, ironing and packaging for international markets.

The Vannikonenthal unit follows the same model. The Department of Backward Class and Denotified Community Welfare awarded Rs 3 lakh to each of three SHGs (ten women apiece) to set up the cluster. These groups have already signed supply agreements with established exporters in Rajapalayam and Srivilliputtur.

Under this arrangement, SHG members receive fabric and trims from the export houses, stitch the garments at the new facility, and return finished pieces for global distribution. Payments for each garment are credited directly to the women’s bank accounts, based on output and style.