Brief Context
In News A National Campaign on Entrepreneurship was launched to strengthen non-farm livelihoods for rural women under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Importance of Rural Entrepreneurship Reducing Overdependence on Agriculture: Agriculture still employs 45% of India’s workforce but contributes only 18% to GDP. Non-farm rural enterprises help absorb surplus labour.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, Rural Development
In News
- A National Campaign on Entrepreneurship was launched to strengthen non-farm livelihoods for rural women under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
- The campaign aims to train 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) on enterprise promotion and impart Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training to 50 lakh SHG members.
Importance of Rural Entrepreneurship
- Reducing Overdependence on Agriculture: Agriculture still employs 45% of India’s workforce but contributes only 18% to GDP. Non-farm rural enterprises help absorb surplus labour.
- Employment and Income Generation: MSMEs contribute 30% of India’s GDP and 45% of exports. Rural enterprises expand MSME base beyond urban centres.
- Women-Led Development: SHG-based enterprises improve female labour force participation, which remains around 25%. Income control by women improves nutrition, health, and education outcomes.
- Migration Reduction: Local enterprises reduce seasonal and distress migration to urban areas.
Government Steps To Foster Rural Entrepreneurship
- Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Implemented by KVIC, it provides subsidies up to 35% on project costs (higher in rural areas) for new micro-enterprises in manufacturing and services, targeting unemployed youth and artisans with loans up to Rs. 25 lakh.
- ASPIRE Scheme: Launched by MSME, it funds Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) in rural areas with up to Rs. 1 crore for infrastructure, skill programs, and innovation support to nurture agro-rural startups.
- Lakhpati Didi Initiative: “Lakhpati Didi” designates SHG women achieving ₹1 lakh+ annual household income (₹10,000+ monthly) over four seasons/cycles via farm/non-farm activities.
- NABARD’s Role: NABARD supports rural non-farm sectors via refinancing, infrastructure (e.g., rural haats), capacity-building for SHGs/FPOs, and programs like MEDPs/LEDPs.
Challenges in Rural Entrepreneurship

| About DAY-NRLM – Launch: 2011 (restructured from Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)). NRLM was renamed as DAY-NRLM in 2016. |
Source: PIB
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Ministry of Rural Development Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship FAQs
What is the main issue in Ministry of Rural Development Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship?
Ministry of Rural Development Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship should be understood through its immediate context, legal or policy background, responsible institutions and practical impact on governance. The topic is useful for General Studies because it links a current development with wider administrative and constitutional questions.
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