NABARD launches ‘Gramodyam’ to create 4,000 rural entrepreneurs in three years

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched Gramodyam, a rural entrepreneurship development programme aimed at nurturing around 4,000 entrepreneurs over the next three years, as part of its efforts to boost self-employment and economic growth in rural India.

The initiative was launched by Dr. Shaji K. V., Chairman, NABARD, on the organisation's 45th Foundation Day. Gramodyam is being implemented in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the Institute for Industrial Development (IID) serving as the implementation partner.

Targeted at rural youth, the programme seeks to identify, mentor and support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurship training and access to financial and institutional support. NABARD said the initiative aims to help young innovators convert business ideas into sustainable enterprises, creating employment opportunities and strengthening local economies.

Gramodyam will follow a digital-first hybrid delivery model to ensure outreach across all states and Union Territories. Participants will be enrolled through digital platforms, social media, community outreach and on-ground mobilisation before undergoing psychometric assessments, counselling, entrepreneurship development programmes, sector-specific training, mentoring and enterprise establishment support.

The programme will offer an integrated support ecosystem that includes business opportunity identification, business planning, enterprise management training, credit facilitation, market linkages, mentorship and post-establishment handholding. NABARD said the initiative is designed not only to promote self-employment but also to generate local jobs through sustainable enterprise development.

All beneficiaries will undergo e-KYC verification through NSDC to ensure transparency and authenticity. During the pilot phase, Gramodyam aims to facilitate the establishment of around 4,000 rural enterprises through a scalable implementation model.

A key feature of the programme is its end-to-end credit facilitation framework. Participants will receive assistance in preparing bankable Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), connecting with NABARD-supported Regional Rural Banks and other financial institutions for loans, and accessing relevant government schemes and incentives. The programme will also provide digital support for loan applications to improve access to formal credit.

The initiative will be integrated with NSDC's digital platform to enable real-time monitoring of participant progress from mobilisation and training to enterprise creation and growth. Its impact assessment framework will track key metrics such as enrolment, gender inclusion, training completion, certification, GST and UDYAM registrations, enterprise operationalisation and business performance.

NABARD said Gramodyam combines skill development, mentorship, financial inclusion, digital innovation and market connectivity to create a new generation of rural entrepreneurs, contributing to the government's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.