Tripura launches women-led livelihood initiatives under TRLM, including Jal Bastra, SAY, and an IIM Calcutta incubator project, empowering SHG women, supporting vulnerable households, and promoting inclusive rural growth through innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Tripura is poised to emerge as a model for women-led innovation and inclusive rural development with the launch of three landmark livelihood initiatives under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM). Scheduled for inauguration on February 11, these projects collectively aim to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) women, uplift the most vulnerable households, and create a strong ecosystem for women entrepreneurship across the state.
The initiatives reflect Tripura’s growing focus on sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion, and enterprise-driven rural growth, with women placed firmly at the center of economic transformation.
Jal Bastra Project: Turning Waste into Wealth in Sepahijala
One of the flagship initiatives is the Jal Bastra Project, to be inaugurated at Mohanbhog Block in Sepahijala district. With an investment of Rs 69 lakh, the project is being implemented under the Swagat Non-Farm Cluster and is entirely managed by SHG women.
The project introduces an innovative livelihood model using water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant often considered an environmental burden. Through skill development and organized production, SHG women will convert this low-value resource into marketable products, generating sustainable income while contributing to environmental management.
Officials estimate that the Jal Bastra Project will directly benefit hundreds of SHG members and indirectly support thousands of families. By combining ecological responsibility with women-led enterprise, the initiative demonstrates how rural innovation can create both economic and environmental value.
Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana: Inclusive Livelihoods for the Poorest
The second major initiative is the launch of the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY), an inclusive livelihood programme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a substantial outlay of Rs 40 crore, SAY aims to address extreme poverty through a structured and targeted intervention.
The programme follows the internationally recognized “Graduation Approach,” which integrates social protection measures, livelihood training, access to financial services, and continuous handholding support. The objective is to enable extremely poor and vulnerable households to achieve sustainable income and long-term economic stability.
Special emphasis will be placed on households in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) regions, particularly those belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), women-headed households, and single-member families. By linking these households with SHG networks, SAY seeks to ensure that no section of society is left behind in the state’s development journey.
Incubator Project with IIM Calcutta: Creating Future Business Leaders
The third initiative is a Rs 10.70 crore Incubator Project in collaboration with IIM Calcutta. This ambitious programme aims to mentor, incubate, and scale up 250 women-led enterprises over the next three years.
Under the project, selected women entrepreneurs will receive structured training, business mentoring, market linkages, and institutional support to expand their enterprises. The ultimate goal is to transform grassroots entrepreneurs into successful business leaders, popularly envisioned as “Crorepati Didis.”
TRLM Chief Executive Officer Tarit Kanti Chakma stated that the incubator project builds upon Tripura’s strong SHG foundation and represents a decisive step toward women’s economic empowerment and enterprise-led growth.
A Unified Vision for Inclusive Growth
Together, the Jal Bastra Project, Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana, and the IIM Calcutta Incubator Project underscore Tripura’s commitment to women-led innovation, inclusive development, and sustainable livelihoods. By integrating grassroots enterprise, social equity, and institutional support, the state is setting a powerful example of how rural transformation can be driven from the bottom up.
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With women as key agents of change, Tripura’s development model signals a future where economic growth and social justice advance hand in hand.
