National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) is an externally aided world bank funded Project under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Objective:-

To establish efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor that enable them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial and selected public services.

Project Coverage:-

Dahod: - Dahod, Limkheda, Sanjeli & Garbada Blocks.

Narmada: - Dediyapada & Sagbara Blocks.

Surendranagar: - Sayla, Chotila & Patdi Blocks.

Components under the project:-

1.  Social Management Frame work & Gender.
2.  Financial Inclusion.
3.  Farm Livelihoods.
4.  Non – Farm Livelihoods.

Project aims to intensify interventions, financing and technical assistance for:-

• High value agriculture.
• Rural value chains.
• Skills and Enterprises.
• Producer collectives.
• Innovative livelihood approaches.
• Digital financial inclusion.
• Productive infrastructure for post-production value addition.

Component wise activity:-

1.  Social Management Frame work & Gender:-

Community Based Financial Institutions (CBFIs)

• To develop at least one Cluster Level Federation per block as a viable Community Based Financial Institution (CBFI).
• Identification & Registration of Model Cluster Level Federation (MCLF).
• Model CLF to set up a Community Managed Training Centre to provide necessary training to the members of the self-help groups involved in the area.
• Viability Gap Fund (VGF) is provided to cover the gap between its revenue and expenditure in order to make the model CLF more efficient in the initial period.
• Model CLF to provide community investment funds for various livelihood-oriented activities to the members of self-help groups.
• To organize various training programs for the purpose of developing Model CLF as a self-governing, self-reliant and economically sustainable ideal cluster level federation.

 2.  Financial Inclusion

Social Security & Financing of Farm and Non-Farm Enterprises

• To promote last mile delivery of financial services and mainstream insurance/pension interventions under DAY-NRLM.

 SHG Bank Linkage (Cash Credit Support), Financial Literacy - Awareness.

• Establishment of doorstep banking facility through promotion of digital media.
• BC - (Business Correspondents) Sakhi Network for the Service of SHG Members (IIBF Training and Certification of SHG Members, Partnership with CSC, Bank and Corporate BC, Appointment as BC Agent and Policy Advocacy) Promoting digital transactions in the marketplace of the project area. (Promoting digital transactions in business organizations, adopting digital transactions by individual SHG members, setting up on-demand credit delivery systems for SHG members, organizing cluster level digital transaction awareness programs.)
• Extending social security to SHG members by registering SHG members under Life, Accident and Health Insurance cover such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Ayush Yojana (PM - JAY) (Spread Awareness, Registration) members, supervision and Claim settlement system, creation of vulnerability funding).
• Registration of SHG members under Pension Scheme (Wealth Insurance cover for SHG members).

 3. Value Chain

The Farm Livelihood component of the project aims to enhance the value chain and forward linkage for small and marginal women farmers. The focus is on promoting producers' collectives such as Producers' groups and enterprises, which will enable these farmers to access markets and fetch a fair price for their produce. The design of the institutional structure will be based on the existing opportunities and identified gaps in the value chain.

The implementation of these interventions within the Farm Livelihood component of the project is expected to improve the market access, income generation, and overall livelihoods of small and marginal women farmers. Through collective action, organic cultivation, and integrated farming approaches, the project seeks to create a conducive environment for agricultural development and rural transformation. It is important to note that the success of these interventions will depend on effective coordination, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement at various levels. Continuous monitoring and evaluation will be crucial to assess the impact of the interventions and make necessary adjustments to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. A Key Focus of the Project will be to promote women-owned and women-led farm and non-farm enterprises across value chains; enable them to build businesses that help them access finance, markets and networks; and generate employment.

IFC (Integrated Farming Cluster)

In line with the objectives of the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP), the promotion of cluster-based cultivation will be emphasized in selected NRETP Districts. To foster innovation and partnerships, the project will establish Integrated Farming Clusters (IFCs) in the NRETP Districts. These clusters will serve as platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing among farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders. They promote collaboration, innovation, and partnership in agriculture. The significance of IFCs lies in their ability to enhance productivity, diversify income sources, improve market access, and foster sustainable farming practices. By integrating various agricultural activities, IFCs enable farmers to capitalize on synergistic benefits, share knowledge, and access resources. They create opportunities for farmers to collectively address challenges, leading to transformative changes in rural livelihoods and agricultural development.

OVC (Organic Village Cluster)

In line with the Union budget speech for the financial year 2018-19, the promotion of organic farming among women farmers of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was announced, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agricultural practice under the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), a component of the DAY-NRLM.

Organic farming presents a logical progression for these women farmers as it offers opportunities for organic certification, improved market access, and increased income. Recognizing the significance of organic farming, the government has identified 1,646 organic village clusters to be developed nationwide. In Gujarat, the government has set ambitious targets of bringing 100,000 women farmers under organic farming by 2025 and increasing the area under organic cultivation to 1 million hectares.

To guide the implementation of organic village clusters, the Ministry has developed an advisory for State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) to ensure effective planning and execution. The SRLMs are encouraged to refer to this advisory during the development and implementation stages. The state government is actively working to create a market for organic products, providing women farmers with direct selling opportunities through dedicated organic markets. This holistic approach aims to empower women farmers, promote sustainable practices, and enhance market access for organic produce.

The organic farming and certification project is undertaken by the NRETP program of GLPC (Gujarat SRLM), and its brief information is given below.

❖ Project Title: Formation of Organic Village Clusters and Their Certification under the Participatory Guarantee System for India for the Allotted Clusters in the State of Gujarat

❖ Total identified villages: 78

❖ Total Identified self-help groups women farmers: 4588

❖ Total land area for organic certification: 4790 hectares

❖ Identified crops: Pigeon pea, maize, paddy, soyabean, pearl millet, sorghum, desi cotton, castor, and groundnut during kharif; wheat, gram, and cumin during rabi; and green gram during the summer season for organic certification.

 4.  Non – Farm Livelihoods

• To facilitate nano/micro-enterprises that have demonstrated some potential to grow to graduate to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• Establishing of one- stop-facilities (OSFs) in NRETP blocks for Enterprise Promotions handholding support.
• Training & Capacity Building to communities as well as BDSP (Business Development Service Provider).
• Bridging critical gaps in accessing business development services, technology, and skills, and securing finances is the major intervention in the non-farm sector.

Providing supports to entrepreneurs through Artisan Cluster i.e. (Pottery Cluster – Dahod).