NRLM stands for National Rural Livelihoods Mission. It is a poverty reduction program launched by the Government of India in 2011 to empower rural households, especially women, by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The NRLM aims to create an enabling environment for rural households to enhance their income through a range of activities such as agriculture, livestock rearing, handicrafts, and other non-farm activities. The program focuses on empowering women by enhancing their decision-making abilities and providing them with access to resources and services.
The NRLM is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in partnership with state governments and other stakeholders. It works through a network of community-based organizations such as self-help groups, village organizations, and cluster-level federations.
The program provides a range of services to rural households, including skill development training, access to credit and financial services, market linkages, and social protection services. It also aims to promote gender equality and social inclusion by ensuring that marginalized groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities are included in the program’s activities.
Overall, NRLM is a critical poverty reduction program that empowers rural households, especially women, by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. Its focus on community-based organizations and social inclusion ensures that marginalized groups are not left behind in the development process. NRLM has contributed significantly to the economic empowerment of rural households and has helped reduce poverty in India’s rural areas.