NATIONAL RURAL LIVELIHOOD MISSION (NRLM)

-RAHUL PATEL

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a flagship program launched by the
Government of India in June 2011. It aims to alleviate rural poverty by enabling rural
households to access sustainable livelihood opportunities. The NRLM is implemented
by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and operates under the
aegis of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) Framework.

Key objectives of the NRLM include:

 Poverty Reduction:
The mission aims to reduce poverty among rural households by creating sustainable
livelihood opportunities and enhancing incomes.
 Empowerment of Women:
NRLM places special emphasis on empowering women by promoting their
participation in decision-making processes, providing them with skill development
opportunities, and facilitating their access to resources and credit.
 Social Inclusion:
NRLM targets the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society, including
Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Minorities, and other socially and
economically disadvantaged groups.
 Institutional Building:
NRLM focuses on strengthening the capacity of rural institutions such as Self-Help
Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs)
to facilitate collective action and foster community development.
 Convergence and Partnerships:
NRLM encourages collaboration and convergence with various government
programs and agencies to maximize the impact of interventions and ensure holistic
development.
 Sustainable Livelihoods:
The mission promotes livelihood diversification, skill development, entrepreneurship,
and access to markets to enhance the resilience of rural households to economic
shocks and vulnerabilities.

Key components of the NRLM include:

 Social Mobilization and Institution Building:
NRLM emphasizes the formation and strengthening of community-based institutions
such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster-Level
Federations (CLFs) to empower rural communities.
 Livelihoods Enhancement and Economic Empowerment:
NRLM supports rural households in diversifying their livelihood options, enhancing
productivity, and accessing financial services such as credit, insurance, and savings.
 Financial Inclusion:
NRLM facilitates access to formal financial institutions and services for rural
households, particularly women and marginalized groups, through mechanisms such
as SHG-Bank Linkage and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
 Skill Development and Capacity Building:
NRLM provides training and capacity-building support to enhance the employability
and entrepreneurial skills of rural youth and women, thereby promoting sustainable
livelihoods.
 Livelihoods Promotion through Value Chains:
NRLM promotes the development of value chains and market linkages to facilitate
the integration of rural producers into mainstream markets and enhance their
competitiveness.

Overall, the NRLM seeks to empower rural communities, reduce poverty, and promote
inclusive and sustainable development in rural India through a multi-dimensional
approach encompassing social, economic, and institutional interventions.