Bizz Buzz Bureau
Vijayawada
NationalBank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Andhra Pradesh Regional Office, conducted an awareness and knowledge-sharing session at the Learning and Knowledge Pavilion of the National SARAS Ajeevika Mela 2026.
The session was led by N Satyanarayana, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, with a focus on scaling up Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into sustainable rural enterprises and strengthening women-led livelihoods.
During the session, Satyanarayana explained various NABARD initiatives and support mechanisms designed to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of SHG members, promote enterprise development, improve access to markets, and facilitate sustainable income generation.
He highlighted key programmes such as the Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), Skill Development Programmes, m-Suwidha, and support for Community Resource Entities. The session also covered NABARD’s support for marketing SHG products through both physical and digital platforms, financial inclusion, exhibitions, Rural Haats, Rural Marts, food cafés, stalls in shopping malls, Gram Vihar, Small Artisan Group Empowerment, and Rural Enterprise Producer Organisations. The Kudumbashree model of Kerala was highlighted as an important example of promoting women-led community enterprises and strengthening rural livelihoods.
Participants were also sensitised to opportunities for expanding their businesses through digital platforms and formal enterprise registration, including the process of onboarding eligible SHG enterprises on the Udyam Registration Portal. The discussion emphasised the importance of capacity building, market linkages, enterprise formalisation, and institutional support in transforming SHGs from subsistence-level activities into viable and growth-oriented rural businesses. The session provided valuable insights into the range of opportunities available to SHGs through NABARD’s programmes and initiatives, encouraging women entrepreneurs to explore suitable interventions for expanding their enterprises and accessing wider markets.
SARAS Mela records
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3.71 cr sales
Vijayawada: The National SARAS Mela 2026, organised at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, from October 13 to 31, has achieved a major milestone by recording cumulative sales of Rs5 crore, covering 2 lakh products, as of Tuesday. The mela witnessed an exceptional response on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami (Dasara), with more than 70,000 visitors thronging the venue to celebrate the festival and explore products made by women Self-Help Group (SHG) members from across the country.
On October 20, coinciding with the grand Vijayadashami celebrations, the mela recorded sales worth Rs1.27 crore, with 48,370 products sold in a single day. The festive atmosphere, increased public movement and enthusiasm among families visiting the city contributed to the strong footfall at Punnami Ghat. Vijayadashami holds special cultural and spiritual significance in Vijayawada, particularly because of the celebrated Sri Kanaka Durga Temple atop Indrakeeladri Hill. During the Dasara festivities, devotees from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring States visit the temple to seek the blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga.