**Summary:**
On July 19, 2025, Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh, Gujarat. The purpose of the visit was to review the institute's activities and interact with farmers and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), particularly "Lakhpati Didis"—women earning over ₹10 lakh annually through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). During the visit, the Minister released a compilation of 50 success stories of Lakhpati Didis and unveiled the institute's Annual Report for 2024. Shri Chouhan reiterated the government's commitment to economically empowering women, highlighting the progress made in increasing the number of Lakhpati Didis, with 1.5 crore women already achieving this status. The government aims to reach 2 crore Lakhpati Didis by August 15, 2025. The Minister emphasized the importance of skill training, access to credit, and essential infrastructure for women in rural areas to facilitate their participation in economic activities and promote local products on a national and global scale. Plans are underway to increase women's participation in the industrial sector, with the ultimate goal of contributing to a "Viksit Bharat."
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Agriculture Minister of India.
Gujarat: A state in India where the Union Agriculture Minister interacted with Lakhpati Didis and visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh.
Lakhpati Didis: A program initiative in India focused on empowering women to earn over 10 lakh annually, with a target to have two crore Lakhpati Didis by August 15.
National Rural Livelihood Mission NRLM: A program under which success stories of Lakhpati Didis are being documented.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Directorate of Groundnut Research: An agricultural research institute located in Junagadh, Gujarat, visited by the Union Agriculture Minister.
Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India whose vision is to increase women's participation in economic activities.
Viksit Bharat: A vision to build a developed India with the contribution of women.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan interacts with Lakhpati Didis in Gujarat
today
“By August 15, there will be two crore Lakhpati Didis
in India” – Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On: 19 JUL 2025 7:18PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today
visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh, Gujarat,
reviewed its activities and interacted with farmers and ‘Didis’ of self-help groups (SHGs).
On this occasion, the Union Agriculture Minister released a compilation of 50 inspiring success stories of
Lakhpati Didis — women earning over ₹10 lakh annually under the National Rural Livelihood Mission
(NRLM). He also unveiled the institute’s Annual Report for 2024.Extending Raksha Bandhan greetings to the Lakhpati Didis, Shri Chouhan said that making SHG women
Lakhpatis (millionaires) is a firm commitment of the government. “Every woman must become self-reliant,
economically empowered, and independent,” he emphasised.
Shri Chouhan highlighted that 1.5 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis, and the government is
on track to achieve the target of 2 crore by August 15. He added that the number of Lakhpati Didis is also
rising rapidly.
“SHG women are rewriting stories of change by challenging gender bias and driving social transformation,”
he said. “It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that more and more women participate in economic
activities.”
He further stated that if women in villages receive proper skill training, timely bank credit, and essentialinfrastructure, they can work wonders. “Lakhpati Didis are playing a historic role in making local products
vocal on a national and global stage.”
Concluding his address, Shri Chouhan praised the contributions of women and encouraged them, saying,
“Keep pushing forward with courage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself stands with you to ensure all
possible support. Plans are underway to increase women’s participation in the industrial sector. The hard work
of women will help build a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Wishing you all the best for the future.”
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RC/AR
(Release ID: 2146131)