“Empowered Women are the Foundation of a Developed India” – Cabinet Minister Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena
“Lakhpati Didi Yojana Embodies the Spirit of Antyodaya” – MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat

Udaipur. A three-day National Conference on Agriculture and Livestock Entrepreneurship commenced on Tuesday at Hotel Taj Aravali, Udaipur, under the joint aegis of RAJEEVIKA (Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad), the Rural Development Department, Government of Rajasthan, and the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Cabinet Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, as the chief guest. The event saw participation from experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and women members of self-help groups (SHGs) from across the country. The discussions focused on creating new avenues for rural livelihood through agriculture and livestock entrepreneurship.

Women Empowerment Key to India’s Development

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Meena welcomed participants from all states and emphasized the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. He stated that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had entrusted women officers with the leadership of the Rural Development and RAJEEVIKA departments, setting a progressive example. He further highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakhpati Didi initiative, calling it a concrete step towards empowering women nationwide.

Dr. Meena said, “The vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be realized through women’s empowerment.” He elaborated on RAJEEVIKA’s mission to enhance the social and economic status of rural women by forming SHGs. Presently, 50.69 lakh rural families are connected through 4.25 lakh SHGs, 31,000 village organizations, and 1,074 cluster-level federations (CLFs). Nearly 39.38 lakh families are engaged in agriculture and livestock-based activities.

He noted that women SHG members have been provided ₹2,099.95 crore under livelihood enhancement and ₹10,342.96 crore in bank credit. Their products are now being marketed through online platforms such as GeM, Amazon, Flipkart, and e-Saras, enhancing their income and visibility.

Expanding Rural Entrepreneurship

Dr. Meena highlighted that 7,037 women business correspondents are providing doorstep banking services in villages. RAJEEVIKA women are also managing 254 canteens across various district and block headquarters. More than 54,000 women-led enterprises — including tailoring, beauty parlors, spice processing, handicrafts, grocery, and boutique stores — have been established.

To promote agricultural value chains, Hadauti Mahila Kisan Producer Company Ltd. has been formed with an investment of ₹17.39 crore, benefitting 18,345 farmers in Baran and Kota districts. Additionally, 3,366 producer groups have been created, linking 1.89 lakh families to agriculture and livestock activities. Retail stores have also been opened in Jaipur, Churu, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Jodhpur, and Kota to boost SHG sales.

Success of the Lakhpati Didi Program

Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, 796 master trainers and 19,450 community resource persons have been trained so far, reaching over 11 lakh women. Through Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi, loans worth ₹555.77 crore have been provided to 1.25 lakh women of 39,118 SHGs.

Dr. Meena emphasized that in tribal regions such as Udaipur, where agricultural land and livestock are limited, SHGs have emerged as a lifeline for sustainable livelihoods. He urged officials to expand SHG initiatives in tribal areas to make women self-reliant.

“Lakhpati Didi Reflects Antyodaya” – MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat

Speaking as the guest of honor, Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat said that the essence of Antyodaya lies in uplifting the last person in society. The Lakhpati Didi program embodies this principle by fostering both empowerment and economic advancement among women, helping millions of families rise above the poverty line.

Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

Other dignitaries present included Additional Chief Secretary (Rural Development) Shreya Guha, Joint Secretary (MoRD) Swati Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forests (Udaipur) Sunil Chhidri, and Indian Bank MD Shiv Bajrang Singh. Swati Sharma gave a detailed presentation on the Lakhpati Didi program.

The event began with a lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome address by RAJEEVIKA State Mission Director Neha Giri, who outlined the objectives and structure of the conference.

Book Release, Portal Launch, and MoU Signing

During the program, a booklet featuring success stories of Lakhpati Didi beneficiaries was released, and a new digital portal developed in partnership with Indian Bank was launched to facilitate SHG women. An MoU between RAJEEVIKA and Indian Bank was also signed by Neha Giri and Shiv Bajrang Singh in the presence of Dr. Meena.

Focused Sessions and Cultural Evening

Post the inauguration, sessions were held on “Transforming the Rural Economy through the Livestock Sector” and “Expanding Rural Enterprises: From Producer Collectives to Business Collectives.” The evening concluded with cultural performances.

On the second day, discussions will revolve around themes such as Strengthening Livelihood Ecosystems through Collaboration, Innovative Financial Architecture Beyond Credit, and She-Life: Women-led Agricultural and Livestock Entrepreneurship.

Source: