Gujarat Opens 136 Gram Haats to Boost Rural Women’s Income

RAJKOT: Gujarat is opening new markets for rural women to turn their skills into sustainable incomes. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched 136 women-run Gram Haats at bus stations across 27 districts, aiming to connect products made by self-help groups with more customers.

The initiative was launched virtually from Rajkot during a three-day Saras Mela at Race Course Ground. The event also featured new partnerships to expand sales opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering, Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted women to become “development partners” rather than remain beneficiaries of government schemes.

He said the new markets would help rural women sell handicrafts, food products and other locally made goods. The initiative also supports the government’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.

30 Lakh Rural Women in Self-Help Groups

Patel said nearly 30 lakh rural women in Gujarat were associated with around 2.5 lakh Sakhi Mandals.

He added that the state provided ₹800 crore in assistance to support women’s economic activities last year. More than 8.5 lakh women in Gujarat have also achieved Lakhpati Didi status, according to the government.

The state aims to expand these opportunities through market access, training and financial support.

Amul Plans Women-Run Milk Parlours

A key announcement was an agreement between the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC) and Amul to establish women-run milk parlours across 18,000 villages.

The government also signed 13 memorandums of understanding with organisations and institutions. These include the Railways, GSRTC, banks, educational institutions and state departments.

The partnerships aim to create more sales channels and provide mentorship to women who want to build digital businesses.

Institutions such as NIFT, MICA and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India will support training and guidance.

Financial Support for Sakhi Mandals

During the event, authorities distributed cash-credit cheques worth ₹45 lakh. A separate ₹40 lakh cheque was given to a dairy-related self-help group.

Women’s groups also received e-commerce incentives totalling ₹1,08,640.

Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya said Saras Melas had helped self-help groups reach customers. Over the past five years, around 8,500 groups recorded sales of approximately ₹40 crore across 236 such fairs.

The government also distributed free residential plots to 139 families from nomadic and de-notified tribes in the district.

The new Gram Haats aim to give rural women better access to customers, stronger incomes and greater financial independence.