Odisha Tops India Under Lakhpati Didi Initiative, Empowering Over 14 Lakh Rural Women

Bhubaneswar, April 17 : In a remarkable achievement, Odisha has secured the top position in India under the central government’s Lakhpati Didi Initiative, a flagship mission aimed at enabling rural women to earn an annual income of Rs. 1 lakh or more through sustainable livelihoods.

As of April 13, 2025, Odisha has successfully empowered 14,41,074 women as “Lakhpati Didis,” reaching 82% of its ambitious target of 17.59 lakh potential earners. This milestone places the state ahead of all others in implementing the initiative effectively and inclusively.

The program in Odisha is being spearheaded by the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) under the Department of Mission Shakti, in alignment with the centrally sponsored National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). Through a mission-mode approach, the state has built a decentralized, community-driven model focusing on local leadership, structured support, and economic empowerment.

The initiative began at the grassroots with a door-to-door campaign to identify Potential Lakhpati Didis (PLDs). This involved household-level income mapping, skill assessments, and aspiration tracking by Community Support Staff (CSS), Self Help Group (SHG) leaders, and OLM officials.

Once identified, the women were supported with customized training, mentoring, and the creation of Individual Business Development Plans (BDPs). These plans offered a tailored path for each PLD to expand or diversify their income activities based on local resources and personal capabilities.

Hands-on, on-site training across rural Odisha helped women acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills in areas such as tailoring, mushroom cultivation, livestock farming, and food processing. The approach transformed traditional knowledge into profitable enterprises.

To further support these rural entrepreneurs:

• The Revolving Fund (RF) was increased from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000
• The Community Investment Fund (CIF) was raised from Rs. 35 lakh to Rs. 60 lakh
• Eligible women also benefited from the Subhadra scheme
• Zero-interest loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh were provided for timely repayers, easing credit constraints for Women SHGs

The state government’s comprehensive support has not only fueled rural economic development but also instilled confidence among women to lead from the front.

Officials hailed the initiative as a game-changer for rural livelihoods in Odisha, setting a national benchmark for women’s economic empowerment through structured, community-led development.