NBIRT Participates in Partners’ Workshop on Building Women-Led Livelihood Ecosystems in Tripura

The Partners’ Workshop on Building Women-Led Livelihood Ecosystems in Tripura was successfully held on 5th May 2026 at Hotel Polo Tower, Agartala, and organized by Udyogini. The workshop brought together representatives from government departments, research institutions, financial organizations, and grassroots bodies with a shared objective of strengthening and scaling women-led livelihood initiatives across the state.

The event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning, focusing on empowering women as key drivers of rural economic transformation and sustainable development.

Representing NBIRT – Institute for Rural Technology, Ms. Debasmita Ganguly, Research Scholar of NBIRT, delivered a presentation highlighting the institute’s ongoing initiatives and practical interventions aimed at promoting sustainable rural livelihoods and women’s empowerment in Tripura.

The workshop commenced with registration and a welcome session, followed by the formal inauguration through the felicitation of dignitaries and ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In the welcome address, speakers emphasized the significance of collective action and institutional collaboration in building inclusive livelihood ecosystems.

A context-setting session by Udyogini provided an overview of their approach toward women-led enterprise development, underlining the importance of convergence among institutions, scalable livelihood models, and long-term sustainability.

Subsequent sessions focused on experience sharing, where experts discussed the evolving landscape of women-led livelihood ecosystems in Tripura. It was observed that women, especially through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), are already playing a vital role in entrepreneurship and community development. However, greater access to skill development, technology, financial services, and market opportunities remains essential for unlocking their full potential.

The workshop featured a series of panel discussions addressing practical strategies and collaborative approaches for livelihood enhancement. One panel explored pathways for developing viable women-led agri-enterprises, emphasizing enterprise incubation, institutional support, improved last-mile delivery systems, and better access to credit facilities.

Another important discussion centered on convergence in practice, focusing on how government departments, NGOs, research institutions, and development agencies can work together to create a unified and impactful ecosystem. Speakers stressed the importance of aligning policies, programmes, and grassroots interventions to maximize long-term impact and avoid fragmentation of efforts.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of market systems, innovation, and value chain development in connecting rural producers with structured and sustainable markets.

During the panel discussion, NBIRT showcased several successful field-based interventions that demonstrate how technology and innovation can transform rural livelihoods.

One of the major initiatives highlighted was the introduction of hybrid solar dryers for women-led Self-Help Groups. These dryers address the issue of post-harvest losses caused by traditional drying methods by enabling efficient solar-based processing and preservation of products such as pineapple, jackfruit, papaya, spices, and herbs. The initiative has significantly improved product quality, hygiene, and shelf life while creating new opportunities for value addition and income generation.

A successful case study from Tripura was shared, demonstrating how a Self-Help Group effectively utilized the hybrid solar dryer technology to overcome challenges related to weather dependency, time constraints, and lack of proper drying infrastructure.

Another key initiative presented by NBIRT focused on the empowerment of bamboo artisans through upgraded and solar-powered toolkits. Traditionally engaged in producing basic bamboo products, artisans are now manufacturing innovative items such as bamboo jewellery, decorative artifacts, and lighting products. Through targeted training and skill development programmes, artisans have improved both productivity and product quality, leading to significant enhancement in income levels.

NBIRT is also supporting artisans through market linkage initiatives involving branding, packaging, and digital marketing support, enabling them to access broader and more structured markets.

The workshop highlighted several important takeaways, including the central role of women in building resilient and sustainable rural economies, the need for stronger institutional convergence, and the importance of technology adoption and skill development in livelihood enhancement. Speakers also emphasized that strengthening value chains, improving market access, and implementing evidence-based grassroots interventions are essential for designing scalable and impactful livelihood models.

The programme concluded with an open forum discussion where participants collectively explored actionable strategies and partnership opportunities for scaling women-led enterprises in Tripura. The session reinforced the importance of coordinated action and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

The workshop ended with a vote of thanks and a renewed commitment toward building an inclusive, sustainable, and women-driven livelihood ecosystem in the state. The event reaffirmed that when women are empowered with the right skills, technologies, and opportunities, they emerge as powerful agents of economic growth and community transformation.