The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic base of DWCRA women and enabling them to emerge as entrepreneurs. The programmes, being implemented with the support of the Central government, are designed to provide subsidised loans and create self-employment opportunities across rural areas.

As part of the drive, the Velugu and Animal Husbandry departments are jointly identifying beneficiaries through village-level meetings with self-help groups. Women showing interest in setting up livelihood units are being linked to bank loans under schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), and Stree Nidhi.

The government is placing special focus on dairy, sheep and goat rearing, and poultry farming. For example, in the case of a dairy unit worth Rs. 1 lakh, the government is extending a subsidy of Rs. 35,000, while the remaining Rs. 65,000 is arranged through bank finance. For a two-cattle unit with shed facilities costing Rs. 2 lakh, subsidies of up to Rs. 75,000 are being provided, with the balance Rs. 1.25 lakh made available through bank loans. Support is also being extended to other small-scale industries. Women are being encouraged to take up ventures such as bakeries and paper plate manufacturing units, with subsidies ranging from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh depending on the investment size. In agriculture, equipment such as rice harvesters and rotavators, valued between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh, are being offered with concessions of up to Rs. 1.35 lakh.

Officials said these initiatives are intended not only to support self-reliance but also to ensure financial security for women and their families. In addition, plans are underway to expand support through upcoming schemes such as Stree Nidhi and NTR Vidyalakshmi. The government hopes that with access to loans, subsidies, and institutional support, DWCRA women will play a greater role in local economic development and move towards becoming successful small-scale entrepreneurs.