The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have launched Gramodyam, a programme designed to help young people establish businesses in rural India.
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The initiative was unveiled by NABARD Chairman Shaji K V during the institution’s 45th Foundation Day.
Gramodyam is being implemented in collaboration with NSDC under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The Institute for Industrial Development will deliver the programme.
It will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurship training, mentoring, business-planning assistance, credit facilitation and access to markets.
The programme will use a digital-first hybrid model combining online platforms, social-media engagement, community outreach and on-ground mobilisation across all states and union territories.
Participants will undergo psychometric assessments and counselling, followed by entrepreneurship development and industry-specific training. They will also receive mentoring and support to turn business ideas into operational enterprises.
Gramodyam will help participants identify business opportunities, prepare business plans and develop enterprise-management skills. Support will continue after businesses have been established.
The programme also includes an end-to-end credit facilitation system. Participants will receive help preparing bankable detailed project reports and submitting digital loan applications.
They will be connected with NABARD-supported Regional Rural Banks and other financial institutions, and guided on relevant government schemes and incentives.
All beneficiaries enrolled in the programme will undergo electronic Know Your Customer verification through NSDC.
NSDC’s digital platform will be used to monitor their progress from enrolment and training to the establishment and growth of their enterprises.
The programme will track indicators including candidate mobilisation, gender inclusion, training completion, certification, GST and Udyam registrations, enterprise operationalisation and average sales based on verified business records.
During its three-year pilot phase, Gramodyam aims to help about 4,000 people become rural entrepreneurs.
NABARD and NSDC said the programme was intended to promote self-employment, create local jobs and strengthen rural economies by improving access to skills, mentoring, finance and markets.