Odisha has proudly emerged as the top-performing state in India under the Lakhpati Didi initiative — a key programme by the Central Government that aims to help rural women earn ₹1 lakh or more per year through sustainable livelihood activities.
As of April 13, 2025, Odisha has successfully supported 14,41,074 women in becoming Lakhpati Didis, which is around 82% of the state’s target of 17.59 lakh identified women. This achievement has put Odisha ahead of all other states in the country in terms of implementation and outreach.
What is the Lakhpati Didi Initiative?
Launched as part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), the Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to uplift rural women by helping them build profitable and sustainable sources of income. In Odisha, the scheme is being implemented by the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) under the Department of Mission Shakti.
The goal is to ensure that women, particularly those in Self Help Groups (SHGs), are not just self-sufficient but can earn a dignified annual income of ₹1 lakh or more through local businesses, agriculture, food processing, animal husbandry, and other microenterprises.
How Odisha Achieved This Success
1. Mission-Mode Implementation
Odisha followed a target-driven, grassroots strategy. Teams went door-to-door across rural villages to identify women who had the potential to become financially independent. These women were classified as Potential Lakhpati Didis (PLDs).
Field surveys conducted by Community Support Staff (CSS), SHG leaders, and OLM officials helped map:
- Existing income sources
- Skills and aspirations
- Local business opportunities
Once identified, these women weren’t left on their own. They were mentored, guided, and supported every step of the way.
2. Tailored Business Plans and Skill Training
Each woman was provided with a personalized Business Development Plan (BDP). These plans were designed around:
- Their current livelihood activity (if any)
- Available local resources
- Their interest and skill level
Training was hands-on and focused on real-life applications. Women were taught:
- Tailoring
- Mushroom cultivation
- Food processing
- Poultry, goat, and dairy farming
- And more, depending on their region and needs
Master Trainers traveled across the state to deliver practical training in the women’s own communities, helping turn traditional knowledge into modern business ideas.
3. Boost in Financial Support
To help SHGs and individual women grow their businesses, the government doubled and enhanced key financial aids:
- Revolving Fund (RF) increased from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000
- Community Investment Fund (CIF) increased from ₹35 lakh to ₹60 lakh
These funds were used to buy raw materials, expand businesses, and invest in income-generating tools or activities.
4. Subhadra Scheme: Zero-Interest Loans Up to ₹10 Lakh
In addition to the Lakhpati Didi mission, the newly elected BJP government introduced the Subhadra scheme, which played a vital supporting role.
Under this scheme, women SHGs can access interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh, provided they repay promptly. This has removed the burden of high-interest credit and encouraged rural women to start or scale up businesses confidently.
Odisha’s success under the Lakhpati Didi initiative is not just about numbers. It is a story of:
- Empowerment through skill and self-belief
- Support through structured financial and training programs
- Collaboration between local leadership, government departments, and the community
By building a model rooted in grassroots planning and real opportunities, Odisha has set a national benchmark in women-led rural transformation.
