Chouhan, the State Leader, Visits Junagadh; Promises 2 Million Women Will Become 'Wealthy Sisters' by August 15; Meets Peanut Farmers
In a significant stride towards financial inclusion and women empowerment, the Indian government's ambitious mission to create 2 crore 'Lakhpati Didis'—women earning a sustainable income of at least one lakh rupees per year—is making steady progress. As of 2025, over 1.48 crore women have already achieved the Lakhpati Didi status, according to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan[1].
The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) serves as the backbone of this initiative, focusing on empowering individual women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) rather than just the groups themselves. SHGs, along with Village Organisations (VOs) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), play a crucial role in mobilisation, implementation, and grassroots monitoring of the scheme[1]. The NRLM ecosystem facilitates skill development, credit access, and market linkages essential for women to increase their income sustainably.
Key progress highlights include states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh leading in the number of Lakhpati Didis[1]. Focused programs such as Bihar's "Jeevika Didi" scheme have been instrumental in propelling women into self-reliance, with over 20 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Bihar alone[2][3].
A substantial Community Investment Fund of Rs 400 crore has been disbursed to strengthen women’s economic participation and empower Nari Shakti further[2][3]. The government aims for transparent and widespread youth and women employment, complementing the empowerment goals of the Lakhpati Didis initiative[2][3]. Promotional campaigns support food processing entrepreneurs and integrated farming clusters, expanding viable livelihood avenues under the broader mission framework[5].
Amidst this progress, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also took time to interact with farmers, participating in field activities like weeding and hoeing in Manekvada village. During his visit, Chouhan emphasised the need for skill development and financial support for SHG women, collected feedback directly from farmers about the efficiency and utility of advanced farm tools, and showed particular interest in 'Girnar-4', Gujarat's improved groundnut variety[6].
Minister Chouhan's visit concluded with the release of the 2024 Annual Report of the institute and a review of key research activities at the ICAR Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh[7]. The 'Lakhpati Didis', self-help group (SHG) members earning Rs 10 lakh annually, continue to transform their lives through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
[1] https://www.nrlm.gov.in/ [2] https://www.nari-shakti-puraskar.gov.in/ [3] http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/national-rural-livelihoods-mission-nrlm-becoming-game-changer-indias-rural-development [4] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-crosses-17-lakh-mark-in-number-of-lakhpati-didis/article65951630.ece [5] https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/agriculture/govt-to-promote-food-processing-entrepreneurs-under-pm-kisan-scheme/2301874/ [6] https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/union-agriculture-minister-shivraj-singh-chouhan-visits-icar-directorate-of-groundnut-research-in-junagadh-125052400146_1.html [7] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-agriculture-minister-shivraj-singh-chouhan-visits-icar-groundnut-research-station-in-gujarat/article65958178.ece
- The Indian government's push for financial inclusion and women empowerment, titled the 'Lakhpati Didis' mission, is rooted in the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), which focuses on the empowerment of individual women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- In a move towards education and self-development, targeted programs such as Bihar's "Jeevika Didi" scheme have been instrumental in propelling women towards self-reliance, contributing to the rise of over 20 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Bihar alone.
- To support career development and policy-and-legislation, a substantial Community Investment Fund of Rs 400 crore has been disbursed to strengthen women's economic participation and empower Nari Shakti further.
- In the realm of general-news and politics, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been actively engaged, interacting with farmers, emphasizing the need for skill development and financial support for SHG women, and advocating for transparent and widespread youth and women employment.
