Bhubaneswar: Odisha has secured the first position under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, a central govt scheme aiming to empower rural women to earn Rs 1 lakh or more annually through sustainable livelihood options.
According to govt data, till April 13, Odisha created 14,41,074 Lakhpati Didis, touching 82% of its 17.59 lakh potential lakhpatis identified and surpassing all other states. The mission was implemented by the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), under the department of Mission Shakti, and aligned with the objectives of the centrally sponsored National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), sources said.
The transformation began at the grassroots, with a door-to-door identification campaign to find potential Lakhpati Didis. Community support staff (CSS), SHG leaders and OLM officials carried out household-level surveys, mapping income levels, skills, and aspirations. “These women weren’t just identified, they were trained, encouraged, and mentored. Individual business development plans (BDPs) were created for each potential Lakhpati Didi, offering them pathways to expand or diversify their existing economic activities based on their environment and capacity,” read an official statement.
The govt had launched on-site training sessions in every corner of rural Odisha. Master trainers supported women in acquiring technical and entrepreneurial skills, be it tailoring, mushroom cultivation, livestock farming, or food processing. The training was customised, practical and empowering, turning traditional knowledge into business strategy. The revolving fund (RF) was increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000, while the community investment fund (CIF) was substantially enhanced from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 60 lakh. Many eligible beneficiaries also received the Subhadra Yojana benefits, which helped to boost their self-confidence.
The govt also offered zero-interest loans up to Rs 10 lakh for prompt repayment, easing the burden of credit for rural entrepreneurs, which enabled the women SHGs to start or expand their small enterprises.