The Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Bhubaneswar to aid the development of rural women-led businesses in the state. An incubation program, part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) through the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), will be initiated to bolster growth-oriented rural enterprises in Odisha. IIT Bhubaneswar will act as the incubation partner for this endeavor.
Under this collaboration, rural women entrepreneurs will be provided assistance in areas such as business planning, product development, quality improvement, market connections, access to finance, and professional networking. Following the guidelines of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a minimum of 150 growth-oriented rural enterprises will be supported through the incubation process over the next three years.
The Union Ministry of Rural Development has allocated Rs 10.70 crore for the program, with an initial sanction of Rs 99 lakh to IIT Bhubaneswar for the first phase implementation. The incubation program aims to establish a dynamic entrepreneurial environment in the state, facilitating the transformation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into small and medium enterprises. Identified SHG enterprises will be aided in obtaining Udyam registration and other necessary compliances and certifications for enterprise setup. Additionally, IIT Bhubaneswar will support in acquiring patents and process certifications to establish unique identities for select products from Odisha.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed the government’s dedication to not only enhancing women’s employability but also nurturing them as successful entrepreneurs. She highlighted that the collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar presents new opportunities for SHG women, enabling them to showcase their products at national and international levels through technical guidance and advanced training. Parida emphasized the significance of this initiative in the journey towards a “Viksit Odisha” and as a substantial stride in bolstering women’s confidence and economic empowerment.
