Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) organized a programme to disseminate among various stakeholders the outcome of the research study on Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna : Evaluation of UMEED and Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme  sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) at varsity’s Green Campus here on Thursday. The study has been conducted in all the blocks of district Ganderbal Kashmir.

The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, academicians and the representatives from civil society to discuss the impact and future direction of these initiatives.

While inaugurating the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, emphasized the transformative potential of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) in fostering rural sustainable livelihood generation. “The ongoing evaluation of UMEED-SVEP in Ganderbal has yielded valuable insights into its successes, challenges, and areas needing further refinement. These findings provide a solid foundation for future policy enhancements and stakeholder collaboration,” he stated.

Delivering the presentation, Project Director and Dean, School of Business Studies, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika, highlighted the socio-economic empowerment of rural women as one of the programme’s most significant achievements. “Through UMEED-SVEP, many Self-Help Group (SHG) members have evolved into successful entrepreneurs, enhancing their financial independence and societal standing. The increase in income levels has translated into better education and healthcare access for their families,” he noted.

Prof. Nikka also underscored the pivotal role of financial institutions in enabling rural entrepreneurship. “While banks and microfinance institutions have been instrumental in providing credit access, the debt servicing by the beneficiaries still remains a challenge. Simplified lending mechanisms and enhanced financial literacy are essential to overcome these barriers,” he added. He thanked the ICSSR, University administration and the J&K Mission Directorate for extending support and cooperation in making the study objective and result oriented.

Former Dean, University of Kashmir, Prof. Nissar Ali, urged graduates to shift their focus from job seeking to job creation. “In an era of rising unemployment, self-reliance through entrepreneurship is the way forward. By leveraging their skills and creativity, young graduates can generate employment and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” he remarked.

Additional Secretary to J&K Government, Mr. Aziz Ahmad, stressed the need for community engagement and sustained awareness campaigns to encourage greater participation of women in entrepreneurship. “Rural women, once hesitant, are now leading micro-businesses with confidence. Family and community support, along with targeted sensitization efforts, will further accelerate this transformation,” he said.

Jammu & Kashmir Bank’s Lead Bank Officer, Mr. Shabir Ahmad, assured full support for self-help groups in securing financial assistance. He acknowledged that women entrepreneurs have demonstrated exceptional financial discipline, with lower Non-Performing Assets (NPA) compared to their male counterparts.

Addressing the gathering, District Programme Manager, Ganderbal, Ms. Zahida Rashid appreciated the efforts of the project team and highlighted some of the initiatives of the Mission Directorate as underway to provide integrated facilities to the SHGs . She also emphasized the need for branding and marketing local products to provide rural entrepreneurs a competitive edge. She also called for financial institutions to simplify loan procedures and make these more friendly to the SHGs.

Mission Director JKRLM¸ Dr. Shubra Sharma, who was present online, appreciated the project team for conducting the study and expressed her desire to consider all the recommendations made by the research that may lead further improvement in the mission activities.

The programme was also attended by Chairperson Block Development Committee, Ganderbal, Ms. Tasleema Majeed and Block Level Managers, Mr. Irfan Ahmad, Mr. Javed Ahmad, Mr. Arif Ahmad, Ms. Naureen and the cluster level coordinators of JKRLM.  

The programme was moderated by Dr. Abid Suhail, Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism, while Prof. S.J. Iqbal Kamili delivered the vote of thanks.

This event underscored the profound impact of UMEED-SVEP and reaffirmed the collective commitment of stakeholders to fostering self-reliance, economic growth, and rural empowerment in Jammu & Kashmir.