September 12, 2025
Delhi, India
The Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), in collaboration with Kerala’s Kudumbashree Mission, launched a transformative two-day National Workshop on Rural Enterprise Incubators under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) on September 10, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This pioneering event aims to strengthen the ecosystem for women-led rural enterprises, leveraging the power of over 10 crore women organized into 90 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India. With participation from academic institutions, industry leaders, and social enterprise networks, the workshop is set to deliver actionable strategies to scale rural startup incubation nationwide, aligning with the vision of a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047.
Key Points:
- Hosted by MoRD and Kudumbashree, the workshop focuses on mentoring, financing, technology, and market access for rural enterprises.
- Over 10 crore women mobilized into 90 lakh SHGs under DAY-NRLM, many emerging as first-generation entrepreneurs.
- Builds on successful pilot programs in Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka, now scaling to states like Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Aims to create a national platform for women-led rural entrepreneurship with strong partnerships.
Visionary Leadership: MoRD and Kerala Drive Women’s Economic Empowerment
In his virtual inaugural address, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoRD, underscored the pivotal role of the incubator program in transforming rural women into entrepreneurs. Highlighting DAY-NRLM’s success in mobilizing millions, he noted that states like Kerala are partnering with leading academic institutions to scale these efforts. Shri M.B. Rajesh, Kerala’s Minister for Local Self-Government, reaffirmed the state’s commitment through Kudumbashree, which has empowered over 46 lakh women across 3.07 lakh SHGs since 1998. He expressed confidence that the workshop would foster collaboration and innovation, positioning Kerala as a model for rural enterprise ecosystems. Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary (RL), MoRD, emphasized scaling the program nationally, ensuring long-term success through robust partnerships.
Key Points:
- Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh: Incubators to empower first-generation women entrepreneurs, building on pilot successes.
- Shri M.B. Rajesh: Kudumbashree’s role in promoting women-led startups, with Kerala as a hub for innovation.
- Ms. Swati Sharma: Vision to create a national platform, with the workshop generating strategies for sustainable growth.
- Kerala’s Kudumbashree: A 26-year legacy, with 3.07 lakh SHGs and 46 lakh women, driving economic and social change.
Key Focus Areas: Building a Robust Rural Enterprise Ecosystem
The workshop features dynamic panel discussions covering critical pillars of rural entrepreneurship: mentoring, financing, technology, market access, and convergence. Experts from academia, including IIMs and IITs, industry leaders like those from NABARD, and social enterprise networks shared insights to shape scalable models. Discussions highlighted innovative financing models like microfinance and venture funds, tech-driven solutions for supply chains, and market linkages through e-commerce platforms like ONDC. The event also explored convergence with government schemes like PM Vishwakarma to enhance skill development and market reach. These deliberations aim to address challenges like limited capital and infrastructure, ensuring rural women entrepreneurs thrive in competitive markets.
Key Points:
- Topics Covered: Mentoring for skill-building, financing through microloans, technology for efficiency, and market access via digital platforms.
- Convergence Strategies: Integration with schemes like PM Vishwakarma and Start-up India for holistic support.
- Expert Participation: Representatives from IIM Kozhikode, IIT Madras, NABARD, and social enterprises like Mann Deshi Foundation.
- Goal: Develop replicable models for states, with Kerala’s 2,500+ micro-enterprises as a benchmark for success.
Scaling Success: From Pilots to Nationwide Impact
The workshop builds on DAY-NRLM’s proven track record, with pilot programs in Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka showcasing the potential of rural incubators. For instance, Assam’s SHGs have scaled ventures in handloom and food processing, while Bihar’s Jeevika model supports over 1.5 crore women in diverse enterprises. Kerala’s Kudumbashree has empowered women through ventures like cafes, tailoring units, and farm-based startups, with over 1,000 micro-enterprises launched in 2024 alone. States like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are now adopting similar models, partnering with institutions like IIMs and IITs to provide mentorship and technical know-how. The workshop aims to create a blueprint for scaling these successes, targeting 1 lakh new rural enterprises by 2030.
Key Points:
- Pilot Successes: Assam’s handloom ventures, Bihar’s Jeevika model, and Karnataka’s agri-based startups show measurable impact.
- Kerala’s Leadership: Kudumbashree’s 2,500+ micro-enterprises in 2024, including innovative ventures like Amma’s Café and Nutrimix units.
- Scaling Plans: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and others to replicate with academic partnerships; target of 1 lakh enterprises by 2030.
- Social Impact: SHGs have increased household incomes by 20-30% on average, per MoRD data, reducing poverty and boosting women’s agency.
Towards Viksit Bharat: A Future Powered by Rural Women Entrepreneurs
The National Workshop on Rural Enterprise Incubators marks a pivotal step towards realizing Viksit Bharat @ 2047, with women-led enterprises as a cornerstone of economic growth. By fostering innovation, providing access to capital, and leveraging technology, the initiative aims to transform rural India into a hub of entrepreneurial excellence. Social media buzz on platforms like X highlights public enthusiasm, with posts praising Kudumbashree’s model and calling for nationwide replication. Challenges like digital literacy and market competition remain, but the collaborative spirit of the workshop—uniting government, academia, and industry—promises sustainable solutions. As Chief Minister Naidu noted during a similar event, such initiatives position states as global leaders in inclusive development.
Key Points:
- Alignment with Viksit Bharat: Aims to empower 10 crore women, contributing to India’s $30 trillion economy goal by 2047.
- Public Sentiment: X posts celebrate women-led startups, with hashtags like #RuralEntrepreneurship and #ViksitBharat trending.
- Challenges Addressed: Plans for digital literacy programs and market linkage platforms to bridge gaps.
- Long-Term Vision: Create a national network of incubators, supporting 1 crore women entrepreneurs by 2047, per MoRD projections.
