Gandhinagar, July 30 (IANS) The Gujarat government has launched a new Rs 25 crore marketing support scheme to help women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), known as Sakhi Mandals, expand beyond local markets by selling their products through e-commerce platforms in India and overseas.
The ‘Marketing Support Scheme’, to be implemented during the 2026-27 financial year by the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited (GLPC), is designed to improve the income of rural women by providing financial assistance for online market access and meeting the regulatory requirements needed to sell products digitally.
According to the state government, the initiative has been introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with guidance from Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and Minister of State Sanjaysinh Mahida.
The scheme aims to strengthen the economic independence of women associated with Sakhi Mandals by enabling them to market locally manufactured products through e-commerce platforms and reach national and international customers.
Until now, products made by many Self-Help Groups were largely sold through local fairs, exhibitions and similar events.
Under the new scheme, eligible Sakhi Mandals will receive financial assistance to complete the formalities required for online registration and digital sales.
The assistance includes up to Rs 15,000 for Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration, up to Rs 10,000 for obtaining a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence, and up to Rs 2,000 for PAN card registration where required for business operations.
The scheme also provides an online sales incentive of Rs 20 per order, with each Sakhi Mandal eligible for lifetime assistance of up to Rs five lakh.
The government said the support is intended to encourage rural women to build sustainable home-based enterprises while expanding the reach of their products through digital commerce.
“The initiative is expected to contribute to its efforts to increase the income of rural women and support the creation of more ‘Lakhpati Didis’ by helping them establish viable businesses with access to wider markets,” the official added.
The government cited the example of Rekha Pethani, president of the Osam Sakhi Mandal in Patanvav village of Dhoraji taluka in Rajkot district, as an illustration of the potential of women-led rural enterprises.
According to the government, Rekha joined a Self-Help Group in 2016 and underwent food processing training through the Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETI).
She subsequently started a traditional spices business and later expanded it with a bank loan of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The business now employs other local women and generates an annual income of more than Rs 10.96 lakh.
The government said the new Marketing Support Scheme is expected to help many Sakhi Mandals like Rekha’s to market their products through e-commerce platforms and access customers across India and international markets.
–IANS
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