The Ministry of Rural Development organized a national knowledge dissemination workshop in New Delhi on February 17 to promote women-led enterprises through public procurement systems. The workshop, held under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in collaboration with PCI India, aimed to strengthen the integration of Women-Led Enterprises (WLEs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into government supply chains.
The event brought together representatives from State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs), central ministries, industry leaders, CSR stakeholders, and development partners. The discussions focused on enhancing institutional frameworks to ensure greater participation of SHG enterprises in public supply systems. Successful initiatives led by women’s collectives were showcased to highlight scalable models and best practices.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar Singh, emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is not merely a welfare measure but a strategic investment in India’s growth, resilience, and social stability. He underlined that women-led enterprises will play a decisive role in realizing the vision of a developed India. He also described public procurement as a powerful policy instrument through which the state can deploy its purchasing power in a transparent, inclusive, and accountable manner.
Additional Secretary, DAY-NRLM, T. K. Anil Kumar, stated that linking SHG products and services with government procurement has become a strategic priority. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among ministries, states, and institutional partners to accelerate implementation.
During the workshop, a dedicated microsite for women and small enterprises was launched. The platform will provide detailed guidance on enterprise setup, operations, registration, and procedures related to government procurement. In addition, three sector-specific playbooks were released for housekeeping and laundry services, food processing, and apparel sectors. A coffee table book documenting inspirational journeys of women entrepreneurs and key institutional learnings was also unveiled.
Women entrepreneurs from Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Bihar shared their experiences, noting that participation in government procurement systems has enabled business expansion, improved quality standards, and strengthened long-term sustainability.
Launched in 2011, DAY-NRLM has mobilized over 100 million rural women into more than 9 million Self-Help Groups across India. These groups have collectively accessed bank credit exceeding ₹11 lakh crore, significantly contributing to income generation, livelihood security, and social empowerment in rural areas.
Under India’s public procurement policy framework, 25 percent of annual government procurement is mandated from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), with 3 percent specifically reserved for women-led enterprises. This structured policy environment is opening sustainable market access for SHGs and strengthening their position as reliable suppliers in the government marketplace.
Experts believe that expanding women’s participation in public procurement will advance inclusive and gender-responsive growth in rural India, positioning women-led enterprises as key contributors to the country’s development trajectory.
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