Shilp Didi Programme

Source: News on Air

Context: The Union Textiles Secretary announced that the Shilp Didi Programme has significantly boosted women artisans’ income, with some earning over ₹5 lakh.

About Shilp Didi Programme:

• What it is? A government initiative to economically empower women artisans (“Shilp Didis”) by providing training, digital skills, and market access, including e-commerce platforms and physical exhibitions.

• A government initiative to economically empower women artisans (“Shilp Didis”) by providing training, digital skills, and market access, including e-commerce platforms and physical exhibitions.

• Launched In: 2024 (100-day pilot phase began in June 2024).

• Implemented By: Ministry of Textiles, through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

• Aim: To make women artisans financially independent, improve design and business skills, and help them leverage modern marketing and entrepreneurship tools.

• Key Features:

• E-training modules (entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, social media, e-commerce onboarding). Marketing opportunities via Dilli Haat, craft fairs, and curated events. E-commerce integration for nationwide and global visibility. Baseline inclusion of 100 women artisans from 72 districts across 23 states. Covers 30 diverse handicrafts (textiles, pottery, metal crafts, embroidery, etc.). Capacity-building through National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) clusters.

• E-training modules (entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, social media, e-commerce onboarding).

• Marketing opportunities via Dilli Haat, craft fairs, and curated events.

• E-commerce integration for nationwide and global visibility.

• Baseline inclusion of 100 women artisans from 72 districts across 23 states.

• Covers 30 diverse handicrafts (textiles, pottery, metal crafts, embroidery, etc.).

• Capacity-building through National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) clusters.

• Significance:

• Provides sustainable livelihoods and boosts rural/non-farm incomes. Strengthens micro-entrepreneurship among women in the handicrafts sector. Enhances digital inclusion—artisans use social media & e-commerce to expand markets.

• Provides sustainable livelihoods and boosts rural/non-farm incomes.

• Strengthens micro-entrepreneurship among women in the handicrafts sector.

• Enhances digital inclusion—artisans use social media & e-commerce to expand markets.