6 J&K Blocks chosen for Rs 36 crore startup village programme

In a push to transform rural economies, the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) has rolled out the Rs 36 crore Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), aiming to establish more than 12,000 non-farm enterprises across six new blocks over the next four years.

The initiative places special focus on empowering rural youth and women through skill development and sustainable livelihood opportunities. SVEP, a sub-scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), seeks to nurture village-based entrepreneurs by promoting scientific enterprise selection, intensive capacity building, and robust market linkages.

Officials said that the programme will be implemented in blocks of Sogam-Wavoora (Kupwara),Pulwama-Litter (Pulwama), Chadoora-Surasyar (Budgam), Khour-Paragwal (Jammu), Pouni (Reasi) and Bhadarwah-Bhalla (Doda). These blocks have been strategically chosen to leverage local resources and traditional knowledge for economic growth. The initiative emphasises value addition and modern scientific practices in traditional and region-specific sectors. Key focus areas include Honey & Herbal Tea Processing: Establishing modern processing units to boost income from beekeeping and medicinal plants. Saffron Value Addition: Scientific grading, packaging, and branding of Kashmir’s prized saffron to capture premium markets.

Trout & Walnut Processing: Development of value-added products from trout fish farming and walnut processing for both domestic and export markets. Eco-tourism & Homestay Networks: Creating community-managed homestays and eco-tourism circuits to tap into J&K’s growing tourism potential. Sheep Wool Processing & Vermi-composting: Modernizing traditional wool processing and promoting organic waste management through vermi-composting units. 

According to JKRLM officials, the SVEP will go beyond mere funding by providing end-to-end support to aspiring rural entrepreneurs. This include rigorous enterprise selection based on local resource mapping and market demand, comprehensive skill development and training programmes, access to credit and financial linkages, handholding support for business planning and operations and strong market linkages to ensure sustainability and profitability

The programme is expected to generate significant self-employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in remote rural areas, while reducing migration to urban centres in search of livelihoods. This expansion of SVEP reflects the Union Territory administration’s continued commitment to inclusive rural development and leveraging J&K’s unique agro-climatic advantages and traditional crafts for economic self-reliance.

Officials have expressed confidence that with proper implementation, these village enterprises will not only strengthen rural economies but also contribute to preserving and modernizing J&K’s rich cultural and natural heritage.