700 SHE-MARTs Planned to Boost Market Access for Rural Women Entrepreneurs

The Department of Rural Development is planning a major expansion of market support infrastructure to help achieve the goal of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis across India. As part of the strategy, the government has proposed the establishment of 700 SHE-MARTs and 1,000 District Fulfilment Centres to strengthen market access for products made by Self Help Group (SHG) members. The initiative aims to promote enterprise development, financial inclusion, capacity building, training and marketing support for rural women. SHE-MARTs will be set up at high-potential commercial locations to provide sustained access to organised markets, while fulfilment centres will improve distribution and logistics support. The government is also working on a unified national brand for Saras Aajeevika, upgrading the e-Saras portal into a multi-vendor marketplace, and expanding SARAS Melas across the country. The measures are expected to strengthen SHG-led enterprises and improve income opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs.