National Campaign Launched To Boost Rural Women Entrepreneurship

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission has taken a major step towards transforming rural incomes with the launch of a National Campaign on Entrepreneurship. The initiative seeks to scale up non-farm livelihood opportunities for rural women and accelerate progress towards the government’s target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis across the country.

Focus on Non-Farm Rural Livelihoods

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission aims to bring sustainable improvements in the income levels of rural women by promoting diversified livelihoods. Non-farm enterprises have emerged as a critical pathway, complementing agriculture and reducing income vulnerability. Programmes such as the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme have already demonstrated the effectiveness of community-led enterprise models supported by trained grassroots cadres.

Role of Community Resource Persons

Trained community cadres play a pivotal role in identifying viable enterprises, supporting start-ups, mentoring entrepreneurs, and providing long-term handholding. These grassroots catalysts are essential to achieving the scale required for the Lakhpati Didi initiative, under which self-help group women members are expected to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually. The expansion of this cadre is seen as central to meeting ambitious livelihood targets.

Launch of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship

Keeping these priorities in focus, the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship was launched on January 12, 2026, by the Additional Secretary (Rural Development). The event saw participation from Advisor, NITI Aayog (RD & PR), the Chairman of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, and representatives from institutions such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IFMR LEAD, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, and the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Senior officials and CEOs of State Rural Livelihood Missions also attended.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• DAY-NRLM focuses on poverty alleviation through women-led self-help groups.
• Lakhpati Didi refers to SHG women earning ₹1 lakh or more annually.
• NABARD supports rural credit and enterprise development.
• Non-farm livelihoods reduce dependence on agriculture.

Scale, Targets and Expected Impact

The campaign aims to train 50,000 community resource persons in enterprise promotion and provide entrepreneurship development training to 50 lakh SHG members. By deepening enterprise development across rural India, the initiative is expected to foster local economic growth, strengthen linkages with formal financial institutions, and build a resilient, inclusive, and self-reliant non-farm rural economy driven by women entrepreneurs.