Programme to bring rural entrepreneurs on e-commerce portal marks 1 year

LUCKNOW: E-commerce marketplace Flipkart completed one year of the programme Flipkart Samarth, which brings artisans, weavers and rural entrepreneurs to the platform.
The program was launched with an aim to build a sustainable platform for under-served, domestic communities and businesses to empower them with opportunities for livelihood.
Under the programme, the UP Khadi and Village Industries Board had partnered with the company to enable artisans and entrepreneurs to sell their products on the portal.
Addressing a virtual conference on Friday, minister of state for MSME Pratap Chandra Sarangi said, “MSMEs are the most vibrant and dynamic contributors to our economy. The sector significantly contributes to the growth of the country and has a huge potential to do more. As witnessed in several industries, private and public entities are coming together for advancements and this would go a long way in the e-commerce space too. This can help Indian MSMEs and the handicraft sector adopt a global outlook. It is about time for India’s rich cultural heritage to make it a global hub for handicrafts and goods and collaborating with e-commerce companies is a win-win situation for both.”
Flipkart has also tied up with the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission to set-up Flipkart Samarth in 22 states.
The products from UP which are most in demand on the platform are ayurvedic and herbal products under the partnership with khadi board.

Additional chief secretary, MSME, export promotion, khadi & village industries, government of UP Navneet Sehgal said, “The Atmanirbhar Bharat is a call to action to rapidly ramp up competitiveness and propel economic growth. Flipkart’s partnership with UP Khadi Board under Samarth programme has driven significant business impact for sellers from Uttar Pradesh in the khadi and handloom sector. It is especially heartening to see a businessman from Lucknow become a top seller of the Flipkart Samarth programme.”
Flipkart chief corporate affairs officer Rajneesh Kumar said, “As a homegrown company we aim to democratize commerce in the country for big and small businesses, and sellers across the country using innovation and locally developed cutting edge technology. Flipkart Samarth underlines the inclusive nature of the ecosystem we have created for the benefit of small businesses, rural entrepreneurs and handicrafts in line with the PM’s Atmanirbhar vision.”
Senior director and head of marketplace Jagjeet Harode added, “With Flipkart Samarth and help of government partnerships, we have been able to bring artisans online from the remotest parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Karnataka till now. We will reach out and bring in many more.”