Thriving initiative to set up 150 rural enterprises across Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: IIMV Field, the incubation and startup hub of the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam, has partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to strengthen women-led Self Help Group (SHG) enterprises across the state through the ‘Sampannakari’ initiative. As part of this, 150 women-led SHG enterprises from all 26 districts will be developed through a structured program over a period of two years to help them scale up and grow sustainably. IIMV Field recently presented Chief Minister N. An MoU was signed with SERP (Society for the Eradication of Rural Poverty), the state level implementing agency of the AP government, in the presence of Chandrababu Naidu. The project is being implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) of the Ministry of Rural Development. It is based on similar initiatives taken in states such as Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal with a focus on promoting non-agricultural rural enterprise development. The main objective of the program is to strengthen rural livelihoods by encouraging entrepreneurship beyond agriculture, including sectors such as food processing, small-scale manufacturing and service-based enterprises within the rural ecosystem, thereby reducing dependence on agriculture alone. Speaking to TOI, Professor M Chandrasekhar, director of IIM Visakhapatnam, said the thriving initiative was taken by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur”. “This program focuses on grassroots entrepreneurship by moving beyond the urban startup ecosystem to support rural families. It is being launched as a pilot initiative to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. Additionally, it will generate insights that can inform future policy interventions and enable scale-up to larger groups in later stages. The objective of the program is to create a structured ecosystem for rural enterprise development by combining financial assistance, capacity building and sustained guidance, ultimately contributing to sustainable livelihoods and rural economic development.“Professor Chandrashekhar said. IIMV FIELD Directors Dr. M. Shamim Javed and Dr. R. Sai Shiva Jayanti said the program aims to identify and support 150 rural enterprises across Andhra Pradesh. “These enterprises can operate in a wide range of sectors including food processing, small-scale manufacturing and other livelihood-oriented activities. The primary focus is on businesses that are already operational and having a minimum annual turnover of around Rs 12 lakh. A small proportion (about 10%) may also be selected from early stage or nascent enterprises to encourage new entrepreneurial ideas,” he said. “The selected enterprises will undergo a structured incubation program for two years, during which they will receive ongoing support. This includes guidance on improving revenue streams, strengthening branding and market position, optimizing cost structures and increasing overall profitability. The program aims to enable these enterprises to achieve a targeted annual growth rate of around 15%, thereby transforming them into scalable and high-growth enterprises,” said Dr Javed and Dr Jayant. “In addition to capacity building, the program provides access to financial support mechanisms. These include performance-based ‘challenge grants’, awarded based on milestones achieved, as well as linked financing schemes such as subsidies or zero-interest loans to support expansion and working capital needs. Extensive outreach efforts have been made to ensure participation of rural communities. Pamphlets and digital resources have also been distributed in the districts to facilitate awareness and engagement,” said Dr Javed and Dr Jayant. Eligibility, Application Process and Selection Criteria for Enrichment Program• Eligibility for the program is closely linked to the Self-Help Group ecosystem. • Enterprises should be led by or associated with SHG members, ensuring strong participation of women in ownership or leadership roles. • The program primarily targets rural-based enterprises, including informal or family-run businesses. • The application process is currently open, with the closing date set for April 15. • To improve accessibility, the process is supported by a mobile-based application platform, along with AI-enabled assistance features such as chatbots and voice support to guide applicants in filling the form. • Helpline support available to resolve queries. • Initially, around 500 to 1000 applications will be shortlisted based on eligibility and professional potential. • This will be followed by detailed ground verification to assess the authenticity, scale and operational status of the enterprises. • Based on this evaluation, 150 enterprises will be finalized ensuring balanced representation across districts and regions. • To apply for the completion program – https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/bN1lgH3D • To know more about the program – iimvfield.com/sampannakaari/