Women appointed as micro-enterprise Sakhis to stimulate rural income growth in Prayagraj
In an effort to boost grassroots entrepreneurship and ensure economic self-reliance for rural women in Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) has launched an initiative to appoint micro-enterprise Sakhis. These rural women will serve as grassroots facilitators, supporting members of self-help groups (SHGs) in launching and sustaining micro-enterprises [1].
The initiative, currently underway in Prayagraj district, has appointed 368 micro-enterprise Sakhis across 92 SHG clusters. Each cluster will have four dedicated micro-enterprise Sakhis, creating a localized support system that facilitates skill development, business guidance, and access to markets [1].
The appointed micro-enterprise Sakhis will undergo formal training, with the dates to be finalised by the state administration. They will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹1,200 to ₹2,000, along with reimbursements for travel, mobile usage, and other operational expenses [1].
The comprehensive training for SHG women will cover micro-enterprise development, including business setup, management, marketing, and sales. This training aims to equip the women with the necessary skills to launch and sustain successful micro-enterprises [1].
The micro-enterprise Sakhi initiative is part of UPSRLM’s broader framework, which includes other specialized roles like BC Sakhi, Vidyut Sakhi, Krishi Ajeevika Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi, and Surya Sakhi, all designed to support different livelihood streams within rural communities and enhance women's economic participation [1].
The goal of the micro-enterprise Sakhi initiative is to economically empower approximately 18,400 rural women in Uttar Pradesh. At the state level, the plan is to train a total of 13,064 women as micro-enterprise Sakhis, with each Sakhi mentoring around 50 women, helping them access self-employment opportunities, financial services, and business development support [1].
By connecting SHG members with sustainable livelihood opportunities, the initiative aims to promote women-led entrepreneurship and improve rural livelihoods. Through such focused empowerment initiatives, UPSRLM aims to increase household incomes, build sustainable self-employment avenues, and improve living standards for rural women, thus fostering financial independence and community development [1].
The broader goal is to establish over 6.5 lakh micro-enterprises across Uttar Pradesh. This significant move towards promoting women-led entrepreneurship is expected to have a positive impact on rural livelihoods and community development in the state.
References: [1] Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). (n.d.). Micro-enterprise Sakhi Initiative. Retrieved from https://upsrlm.up.nic.in/content/micro-enterprise-sakhi-initiative
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