Five Lakh Women Entrepreneurs To Be Created To Empower Self-Help Groups: CM Naidu
He called for products made by DWCRA women to reach global markets.
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to make efforts to economically empower Self-Help Group (SHG) members. He asked SERP and MEPMA officials to extend full support to this initiative and seek assistance from corporate organisations.The Chief Minister set a target of creating 5 lakh women entrepreneurs and said those interested in self-employment should also be encouraged to start franchises.
The Chief Minister review8ng the programmes for developing 5 lakh women entrepreneurs and the ‘Swayam AP’ initiative with SERP and MEPMA officials at the camp office today noted that there is no other system in the country as extensive as the SHG network in Andhra Pradesh. He called for products made by DWCRA women to reach global markets.
The Chief Minister directed officials to develop ‘Swayam AP’ by bringing together thousands of products made by DWCRA women under a common brand, with standardised quality, modern packaging, e-commerce platforms, signature stores and an integrated marketing system.He directed officials to make the National Saras Mela 2026, being organised for the first time in Vijayawada from October 15 to 31, a major showcase of women’s empowerment. Women entrepreneurs and women MPs from across the country should be invited to the event, he said.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that SHGs from across the country would set up 600 stalls at the Saras Mela and that around one lakh visitors per day are expected. They also said President Droupadi Murmu would formally inaugurate the event. Officials informed the Chief Minister that sales of ‘Swayam AP’ products through signature stores and Flipkart would commence from October 15. Officials informed the Chief Minister on the programmes already undertaken to achieve the target of creating 5 lakh women entrepreneurs, including market linkages, financial resources, training and quality standards.They said a comprehensive plan has been formulated around five key areas:Building a strong support system for women from the village level to global markets.Identifying opportunities and converting them into viable businesses.Providing financial support to women through loans amounting to Rs.68,585 crore.Capacity building and business management training in partnership with leading institutions.Developing an integrated entrepreneurship plan with the participation of more than 60 organisations.Officials said successful women entrepreneurs are already being connected as mentors to women entering business for the first time. Special camps would also be organised at the district level to help achieve the target of creating 5 lakh women entrepreneurs.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that incubation programmes were being implemented to transform rural women’s businesses from small livelihood activities into wealth-creating enterprises.In collaboration with institutions such as IIM Visakhapatnam and Centurion University, women entrepreneurs are being provided access to mentorship, markets, credit, resources and business skills, they said.Officials said Stree Nidhi, the banking institution focused on women, had provided loans of Rs.4,800 crore to 4.73 lakh women.They said that SHG women are currently producing more than 23,000 products across sectors including food, handicrafts and textiles.
