SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has set a target of transforming 2.33 lakh rural households into Lakhpati Didi households over the next two years, under the flagship Lakhpati Didi initiative of the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM). So far, 11,936 households have successfully transitioned into the Lakhpati fold, marking a promising start for this economic empowerment programme aimed at uplifting rural women.
The initiative aims to provide women with sustainable livelihoods that ensure an annual household income of Rs 1 lakh, facilitating economic independence and social mobility. The programme encourages women to engage in various livelihood activities, including dairy farming, handicrafts, and aquaculture, with the goal of increasing household income to over Rs 10,000 per month, spread across four agricultural or business cycles.
During a meeting to review the implementation of the initiative, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Secretary of the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), emphasised the need for a comprehensive vision document to align government schemes with target areas, streamline processes, and ensure the efficient delivery of services. He stressed that the initiative should be backed by a robust monitoring system, including a dashboard to track group activities, income generation, and overall progress. Asad also proposed the appointment of master trainers to equip Self Help Groups (SHGs) with the skills necessary for success.
The meeting also discussed the importance of integrating various government schemes, such as MGNREGA, PMAY-G, and agriculture and horticulture development programmes, with the Lakhpati Didi initiative. This convergence will help create a holistic support system for rural enterprises. Asad urged the departments dealing with agriculture, industries, and trade to provide market access, technology, and financial services to these rural ventures, which are crucial for the programme’s success.
Shubhra Sharma, Mission Director of JKRLM, highlighted the positive impact the initiative has already had, with women previously struggling to make ends meet now emerging as successful entrepreneurs. The program’s focus on sustainable, high-value agriculture, livestock rearing, and non-farm activities has started to transform rural households, offering hope for more widespread economic empowerment in the future.
