Govt to Set Up 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres for Women-Led Enterprises

New Delhi, Jun 15 (KNN) The Department of Rural Development is planning to establish 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres as part of efforts to strengthen market access for women-led enterprises and support the creation of six crore Lakhpati Didis under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

The initiatives were reviewed during a meeting chaired by Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, which focused on expanding livelihood opportunities for Self-Help Group (SHG) members through enterprise promotion, financial inclusion, capacity building and marketing support.

According to the department, the proposed SHE-MARTs will be set up at commercially viable locations with strong market linkages to improve the visibility and sales of SHG products. 

Plans are also underway to strengthen state-level federations and community-owned enterprises to create a more integrated marketing ecosystem for rural women entrepreneurs.

The ministry is also working on a unified national marketing identity for Saras Aajeevika, aimed at bringing SHG products under a single brand and improving product positioning, packaging and market recognition.

Officials reviewed progress on the redesigned e-SARAS portal, which is being transformed into a multi-vendor digital marketplace to expand online sales opportunities for SHG products. 

Discussions also covered the redevelopment of the Saras Gallery in New Delhi and the creation of centres focused on product innovation, design, packaging and quality enhancement.

To improve market outreach, the Secretary directed the preparation of revised SARAS Mela guidelines and called for increasing the number of national and state-level SARAS Melas. 

He also instructed officials to launch the Producer Group App, address delays in loan applications through the Jan Samarth portal and enhance awareness of DAY-NRLM credit-linked schemes among banks.

The department is additionally considering an expanded awards framework to recognise outstanding contributions within the rural livelihoods ecosystem, including categories such as Best Performing State, Best Women Entrepreneur, Best Digitalisation Initiative and Lakhpati Didi Award.

The proposed initiatives are expected to strengthen market access, improve enterprise development and enhance income opportunities for rural women across the country.

(KNN Bureau)