Lakhpati Didi Initiative: How Women Entrepreneurs Are Powering Uttar Pradesh’s Rural Economy

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

Women-led entrepreneurship in Uttar Pradesh is surely no more a small success story. They are turning into a measurable economic power of the state. The District-Level Poverty Alleviation Program, oriented towards the entire district, has provided the working women in the rural areas with a minimum annual household income of Rs 1 lakh, thus, enabling them to migrate from survival-based work to steady, growth-oriented livelihoods.

The scale is really very large. Around 98 lakh women (10 million) have been organized by Uttar Pradesh government through SHGs (Self-Help Groups) in 8.93 lakh (893000) groups and have been turned into workers who generate income in the fields like agriculture, retail, services, and technology-related areas. By the year mid-2025, nearly 11.15 lakh women will be claiming themselves as Lakhpati Didis, showing the rapid growth of the program.

Besides, the state has recognized more than 31 lakh women who can earn this income and is training them through a blend of skills training, access to finance, and market linkages.

SHGs: the backbone of women-led micro-enterprises

The SHG network is the heart of the initiative, a well-structured platform for women where they can establish and grow their small businesses without the need to resort to informal borrowing at high-interest rates.

Women SHG members are supported financially in the following ways:

  • Revolving Funds between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000
  • Community Investment Funds of Rs 2.50 lakh maximum

This financial support enables them to grow micro-enterprises with less risk and using capital that is more accessible and easier to manage.

Wider financial inclusion is another factor that works in favor of the program. The 9.81 crore bank account holders under Jan Dhan Yojana means that SHGs can now avail of collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh, thus, women being able to take a more active role in formal banking transactions and business development.

BC Sakhi program expands doorstep banking

One of the prominent features of Uttar Pradesh’s method is the BC Sakhi program, which makes banking services accessible to rural houses.

The government has assigned 39,561 Banking Correspondent Sakhis, who make banking available at the doorsteps of SHG members. These women have acted as intermediaries for over Rs31,626 crores worth of transactions and received Rs85.81 crores as their share in commissions.

Thus, a cycle of empowerment is formed: women are not only financially active, but also making money from it and persuading others to join.

Livelihoods beyond traditional roles

Lakhpati Didis are expanding into diverse sectors. Women-led SHGs are active in:

  • Seed production
  • Horticulture
  • Dairy
  • Animal husbandry

Women are now in charge of essential services in public distribution and retail SHGs, which have taken over more than 2,510 fair price shops. In the process of their unfolding journey, tech support is also being extended. Under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, women have been trained for the operation of drones in agriculture, which has led to the opening of the previously inaccessible realm of high-skill jobs for many rural women.

Economic transition necessitated and accompanied safety and property ownership measures. For instance, under Mission Shakti, police stations have Pink Booths, and the Safe City projects have the support of more than 12 lakh CCTV cameras aimed at creating an environment of safety for women to work and travel.

Through PM Svamitva Yojana, the state has given out over 66 lakh ownership certificates, keeping in mind women as the main beneficiaries, thus, fortifying asset ownership and financial security.

The increase in income has led to the rise of rural consumption which in turn has resulted in better nutrition and more healthcare and education access. The report also states that 72.7% of this consumption is directed towards the metropolitan markets which connects rural income to the economic demand at the large scale.

Uttar Pradesh states that it will achieve a GSDP of Rs 35 lakh crore by 2025–26 and thus the Lakhpati Didi initiative is gradually turning women into entrepreneurs and decision-makers rather than just welfare recipients.

Read More News: Click Here