In a significant move aimed at empowering rural artisans belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Retail's JioMart. The collaboration is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and is set to enhance the outreach of SHG products, furthering the mission's objective of sustainable income growth for rural communities.
Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Ministry of Rural Development, highlighted the significance of the partnership. He explained that the collaboration would facilitate the onboarding of SHGs as sellers on JioMart, enabling them to showcase and sell their products on the e-commerce platform. This, in turn, will expand the market and visibility for SHG artisans, allowing them to reach a broader consumer base across India.
As part of the partnership, SHG sellers associated with DAY-NRLM will receive benefits and guidance to grow their businesses online. Charanjit Singh emphasized that this strategic alliance aligns with the ministry's commitment to enhancing the income of SHG members on a sustainable basis.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Swati Sharma, reiterated the ministry's dedication to supporting livelihood opportunities for SHGs. She expressed confidence that the collaboration with JioMart would contribute significantly to this goal. Raghvendra Pratap Singh, Director, Rural Livelihoods, Ministry of Rural Development, provided insights into the key objectives of the MoU. He emphasized the recognition of the strength of SHGs and noted that the partnership would fortify marketing initiatives like the SARAS collection.
Reliance Retail Limited's President and Chief of Public Policy and Regulatory, Dr. Ravi Prakash Gandhi, lauded the association with MoRD as the first step toward future fruitful collaborations. Dr. Gandhi expressed Reliance Retail's commitment to the government's 'Make in India' initiative and outlined the company's vision to transform the digital retail ecosystem in the country. He believes that the partnership will play a pivotal role in empowering local artisans and small businesses, contributing to the transformation of lives and livelihoods.
JioMart, as part of the collaboration, will not only bring SHGs under MoRD's SARAS collection brand onto its platform but also provide support in setting up and operating their accounts. The e-commerce giant will actively participate in training and workshops facilitated by MoRD, ensuring that SHG sellers are well-versed in the selling experience on the portal.
Post-launch, JioMart will offer ongoing training and support to foster the growth of SHG businesses on the platform, presenting opportunities for participation in various marketing promotions.
