Itanagar, Mar 7: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT), Delhi and the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) have signed an MoU to empower members of Self-Help Group (SHG) in the state through skill development and market integration.
The initiative aims to strengthen value chains and promote sustainable development by equipping women with business skills, financial literacy, and digital tools, a press release informed.
Arunachal has over 1.3 lakh SHG members engaged in various enterprises, including handicrafts, agriculture, and food processing. However, challenges such as limited market access, financial exclusion, and branding issues hinder their growth.
To address these concerns, IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies has designed a structured curriculum with workshops, mentorship, and hands-on learning modules for 100 SHG businesswomen. The programme will focus on value chain analysis and product development to help them transition into formal business structures.
At the MoU signing, Rural Development secretary Dr Sonal Swaroop said, “empowering women through skill development and market access is key to transforming rural livelihoods.”
ArSRLM chief executive officer Sangeeta Yirang emphasized the importance of tailoring the programme to local socio-economic conditions, while COO Jechoniya Islary highlighted supply chain gaps and financial literacy as key challenges.
Prof Seema Sharma of IIT Delhi informed that the project would foster entrepreneurial confidence, strengthen local value chains, and promote financial inclusion.
Prof Gourav Dwivedi added that the initiative would pave the way for future collaborations and solutions to support entrepreneurship in the state.
The partnership is expected to boost women-led micro-businesses and contribute to Arunachal Pradesh’s economic development.
