Madhya Pradesh: In Gram Kareli of Jabalpur district, a NABARD-supported livelihood initiative is creating new pathways of economic independence for tribal women through the establishment of a Millets Processing Unit. Implemented by Lok Kalyan Bhumika Samiti (LKBS), the programme has enabled 90 tribal women to transition from traditional household roles to skilled micro-entrepreneurs by strengthening their capabilities across processing, value addition, and market engagement of millets.
The Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme was implemented in a phased and systematic manner, wherein 90 women beneficiaries were trained in three batches of 30 participants each, with every batch undergoing an intensive 20-day training programme. To ensure practical learning and long-term sustainability, LKBS established a fully functional demonstration unit in the village with NABARD’s support. The unit is equipped with millet filtration and processing machines, ovens for product preparation, and weighing and packaging machines, allowing women to gain hands-on experience in real enterprise conditions.
Beyond basic processing, the programme focused on building complete value-chain understanding among the beneficiaries. Women were trained in producing millet-based noodles, pasta, cookies, and in the grading, packaging, and branding of millets, enabling them to meet market standards. Exposure visits to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) further strengthened their technical skills, where experts from the Food Department provided practical guidance on food safety, processing techniques, and quality control. Women who demonstrated exceptional proficiency received formal certification from KVK, reinforcing their confidence and professional identity.
Recognizing that training alone cannot ensure sustainability, the initiative placed strong emphasis on market linkage and financial inclusion. Beneficiaries were supported to showcase and sell their products at national-level fairs as well as in local markets through canopy-based stalls. Strategic tie-ups were also facilitated with external companies, creating assured market channels for millet products beyond the village. To institutionalize collective enterprise management, a registered women’s cooperative named Shree Ann Mahila Mandal was formed to manage financial transactions and operational decisions.
As a result of this structured support, seven Self-Help Groups successfully accessed bank loans, enabling committed women entrepreneurs to scale production and independently carry forward the enterprise. Today, many trained women are earning additional income alongside their household responsibilities, contributing to improved family livelihoods and gaining recognition within their communities. The programme has fostered not only income generation but also leadership, collaboration, and entrepreneurial confidence among tribal women.
The initiative has been successfully implemented under the guidance of Shri Apoorv Gupta, District Development Manager, NABARD, with Lok Kalyan Bhumika Samiti leading execution under the leadership of Ms. Rekha Kushwaha, President, LKBS. The Millets Processing Unit in Kareli now stands as a sustainable and replicable model of women-led rural enterprise, demonstrating how skill development, infrastructure support, financial access, and market integration can collectively transform livelihoods in tribal regions.
