Gujarat launches Marketing Support Scheme to connect Sakhi Mandals with global markets
Gandhinagar, July 30
The Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited has launched the 'Marketing Support Scheme' to help rural women associated with Sakhi Mandals become financially self-reliant and increase their income by connecting their products to e-commerce platforms and national and international markets.
According to an official release, the scheme will be implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and Minister of State Sanjaysinh Mahida. A provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for 2026-27 to support Sakhi Mandals in accessing e-commerce platforms, giving them access to national and international markets.
The release stated that products made by Self-Help Groups have so far been sold mainly through local fairs and exhibitions. Under the new scheme, financial assistance will be provided to complete the formalities required for registration on e-commerce platforms.
The assistance includes up to Rs 15,000 for GST registration, up to Rs 10,000 for obtaining an FSSAI licence and up to Rs 2,000 for PAN card registration.
The scheme also provides an online sales incentive of Rs 20 per order, with lifetime assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh for each Sakhi Mandal.
According to the release, the initiative aims to enable rural women to earn from home, become 'Lakhpati Didis' and strengthen the rural economy.
The release also highlighted the success story of Rekhaben Girishbhai Pethani, President of the Osam Sakhi Mandal in Patanvav village of Dhoraji taluka in Rajkot district. It stated that after joining a Self-Help Group in 2016, she received food processing training from RSETI and started a traditional spices business. With a bank loan of Rs 1.5 lakh, she expanded the business and created employment opportunities for other local women.
According to the release, Rekhaben's spice unit now earns an annual income of over Rs 10.96 lakh. It added that under the new Marketing Support Scheme, Sakhi Mandals like hers will be able to sell their products through e-commerce platforms and reach customers in national and international markets.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of Rekhaben's success story - from Rs 1.5 lakh loan to Rs 10.96 lakh annual income! That's the power of self-help groups. But I hope the Rs 5 lakh lifetime support cap is sufficient; many groups might need more for scaling up. Still, a solid start. 👏
This is wonderful but I worry about the execution. Many Sakhi Mandal members are not comfortable with smartphones, let alone e-commerce platforms. The government should also invest in digital literacy training alongside this scheme. Technology is only half the battle.
As someone working in rural development in Canada, I'm impressed by this initiative. The combination of GST/FSSAI support and per-order incentive is smart. Reminds me of our local food hubs. India is really showing how to empower women at the grassroots level.
Rs 20 per order incentive sounds small but for a group making 1000+ orders a month, that's serious money! And the Rs 25 crore budget shows commitment. But I hope they also focus on quality control and packaging standards - you can't sell on Amazon/Flipkart with homemade packaging!
My mother was in a Sakhi Mandal for years. They made beautiful kurtis but had no market beyond local exhibitions. This scheme would have transformed her life. So happy for today's rural women! But please ensure the application process is simple and in Gujarati too, not just English.
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