DAY-NRLM launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship to boost non-farm livelihoods and create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis across rural India.
National Campaign on Entrepreneurship under DAY–NRLM: A Major Push for Rural Women’s Incomes
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM) has taken a significant step to strengthen rural livelihoods with the launch of a National Campaign on Entrepreneurship. This nationwide initiative focuses on expanding non-farm livelihood opportunities for rural women and fast-tracking the government’s ambitious goal of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis across India. The campaign reflects a strategic shift from subsistence-level activities to sustainable, income-generating rural enterprises led by women.
Understanding DAY–NRLM and Its Livelihood Vision
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission is the flagship poverty alleviation programme of the Ministry of Rural Development. It works primarily through women-led self-help groups (SHGs), federations, and community institutions to enhance incomes, financial inclusion, and social empowerment.
While agriculture continues to be a backbone of rural livelihoods, DAY–NRLM has increasingly emphasized diversified income sources. Non-farm activities such as micro-enterprises, services, processing units, and rural startups are now seen as essential to reducing income risks linked to climate variability, market shocks, and seasonal employment.
Focus on Non-Farm Rural Livelihoods
Non-farm livelihoods have emerged as a critical pathway for sustainable rural income growth. These enterprises provide year-round earning opportunities and help rural households move beyond dependence on agriculture alone.
Under DAY–NRLM, several initiatives have already laid the foundation for enterprise promotion. One notable example is the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), which supports rural entrepreneurs through capacity building, access to finance, and business mentoring. Building on such experiences, the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship seeks to scale up successful models across states and districts.
Central Role of Community Resource Persons
A defining feature of the new campaign is the strengthened role of Community Resource Persons (CRPs). These are trained grassroots cadres drawn from rural communities who understand local realities and market conditions.
CRPs perform multiple functions, including:
- Identifying locally viable business opportunities
- Supporting enterprise planning and start-up processes
- Providing mentoring and handholding to new entrepreneurs
- Facilitating access to credit, markets, and government schemes
Their expansion and professionalization are considered crucial for achieving the scale required under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which aims to ensure that SHG women members earn at least ₹1 lakh per year through diversified livelihoods.
Launch of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship
The National Campaign on Entrepreneurship was formally launched on January 12, 2026, marking a coordinated push to deepen enterprise development under DAY–NRLM. The launch event brought together senior policymakers, financial institutions, academic bodies, and development partners.
Key participants included officials from NITI Aayog, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, and representatives from global and national institutions such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IFMR LEAD, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, and the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Senior officials and CEOs of State Rural Livelihood Missions also participated, highlighting the collective ownership of the initiative.
Scale, Targets, and Implementation Strategy
The campaign has clearly defined national-level targets aimed at rapid scale-up:
- 50,000 Community Resource Persons to be trained specifically in enterprise promotion
- 50 lakh SHG women members to receive entrepreneurship development training
- Expansion of non-farm enterprises across rural and semi-rural regions
By strengthening enterprise ecosystems at the village and block levels, the initiative aims to improve access to finance, technology, and markets while fostering local value chains.
Expected Impact on Rural Economy
The National Campaign on Entrepreneurship is expected to deliver multiple long-term benefits:
- Income enhancement for rural women through stable non-farm enterprises
- Local economic growth driven by women-led businesses
- Reduced vulnerability to agricultural and climate-related shocks
- Stronger linkages with formal banking and financial institutions
- Inclusive and self-reliant rural development, aligned with national goals
By empowering women as entrepreneurs rather than beneficiaries alone, the programme reinforces the idea that rural women are central drivers of economic transformation.
Important Facts for Competitive Exams
- DAY–NRLM focuses on poverty alleviation through women-led SHGs
- Lakhpati Didi refers to SHG women earning ₹1 lakh or more annually
- NABARD plays a key role in rural credit and enterprise development
- Non-farm livelihoods reduce dependence on agriculture
- The National Campaign on Entrepreneurship was launched on January 12, 2026
Conclusion
The launch of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship under DAY–NRLM marks a decisive step towards reshaping rural livelihoods in India. By scaling non-farm enterprises, strengthening community institutions, and investing in women’s entrepreneurial capabilities, the initiative directly supports the vision of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis. If implemented effectively, it has the potential to transform rural economies into resilient, inclusive, and women-driven growth engines.
