The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, October 01, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a transformative move for rural women entrepreneurs, Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), announced the launch of GreenKraft.co.in, a pioneering online sales platform owned exclusively by women producers from rural India. The announcement was made during the National Livelihoods Conclave held in Varanasi recently.
GreenKraft, incubated by Industree Foundation, is designed to promote made-in-India products crafted by women-led producer groups who are part of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha. This initiative focuses on sustainable, high-quality products like hand-woven goods made from natural materials such as banana bark, bamboo, and sal leaves, all sourced locally.
The platform’s unique business model ensures that 100% of the revenue goes directly to the women producers, effectively cutting out middlemen and boosting their income. By providing these women with direct access to markets, GreenKraft is expected to create a substantial impact on their livelihoods, empowering them financially and socially.
“This initiative ensures quality, competitiveness, and productivity while also promoting transparency, fair wages, and stable incomes for women through direct sales of quality products both in India and abroad,” said Shri Charanjit Singh during the launch. “GreenKraft represents a bold step toward building a vibrant, entrepreneurial ecosystem for inclusive growth, showcasing the craftsmanship and talent of rural India.”
The initiative is also aligned with the Indian government’s mission to foster inclusive rural development through digital technology, contributing to the broader goal of empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
Neju George Abraham, CEO of Industree Foundation, emphasized the potential of bamboo as an economic driver for rural women. “Bamboo can drive economic change for women, creating opportunities to generate a million livelihoods by connecting their products to markets. GreenKraft offers sustainable festive decorations that not only honor our planet but also bring joy to the women who craft them.”
The event, attended by representatives from State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), home buyers, and development organizations, underscored the vital role digital platforms like GreenKraft play in enabling rural producers to compete in the global marketplace.
GreenKraft marks a significant milestone in empowering rural women, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and promoting eco-friendly products from India to the world.
