Bhubaneswar, 08 June (H.S.): In a major initiative to strengthen women-led rural enterprises, the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) and Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to launch an incubation programme aimed at supporting growth-oriented businesses run by rural women across the state.

The MoU was exchanged at Mission Shakti Bhawan in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida.

The incubation programme will be implemented under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), a component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). As the designated incubation partner, IIT Bhubaneswar will provide technical and professional support to rural women entrepreneurs in areas such as business planning, product development, quality improvement, market access, financial linkages and enterprise networking.

Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), at least 150 growth-oriented rural enterprises will be nurtured through the incubation process over the next three years. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has approved an outlay of ₹10.70 crore for the programme, with ₹99 lakh already sanctioned to IIT Bhubaneswar during the first phase.

Officials said the initiative is expected to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Odisha and facilitate the transition of Self-Help Group (SHG)-led ventures into sustainable small and medium enterprises. Selected enterprises will receive support for obtaining Udyam registration, statutory compliances, certifications and other requirements necessary for business expansion.

In addition, IIT Bhubaneswar will assist eligible enterprises in securing patents, process certifications and product branding, helping create distinct market identities for Odisha-based products.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the state government is committed to transforming women from job seekers into successful entrepreneurs. She noted that the partnership with IIT Bhubaneswar would provide SHG members access to advanced training, technical expertise and market opportunities, enabling them to showcase their products at national and international platforms.

Describing the initiative as a significant milestone in Odisha’s development journey, she said it would strengthen women’s confidence, enhance economic independence and contribute to the vision of a “Viksit Odisha.”

During the programme, the Deputy Chief Minister also interacted with Lakhpati Didis and Mahalakshapati Didis, listening to their inspiring stories of entrepreneurship and financial empowerment.

The initiative is expected to open new avenues of growth for women entrepreneurs while contributing to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “Viksit Odisha” roadmap of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Among those present were Manasi Nimbhal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Mission Shakti Department; Monika Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti; senior officials of OLM and Mission Shakti Department, representatives of IIT Bhubaneswar, and women members of Self-Help Groups from across the state. The programme was also attended virtually by officials and SHG members from all districts of Odisha.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda