Walmart Vriddhi to Empower Karnataka’s SHGs & MSMEs via e-commerce

Exclusive SHG product stall to at KIA

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, November 4: In a major boost to women-led self-help groups (SHGs) across Karnataka, the National Livelihood Mission (NLM) under the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood has partnered with Walmart Vriddhi to strengthen digital capabilities of SHGs.

Under this three-year collaboration, Walmart Vriddhi—through its implementation partner, Ideas to Impact Foundation—will provide free digital learning resources, business tools, and mentorship to SHGs, enabling them to modernize operations, embrace eCommerce, and build stronger linkages with Flipkart and Walmart Marketplace.

There are many SHGs across the state producing a variety of daily-use products. Until now, most of their sales were limited to periodic government-organised fairs. With the Walmart Vriddhi partnership, SHGs will be trained in digital literacy, e-commerce and marketing, and other capabilities.

The MoU, an initiative of Skill Development and Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil and Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, was signed by NLM Director R. Snehal and Parul Soni, Trustee, i2i Foundation at Bengaluru on Tuesday.“This initiative has great potential to transform the SHG ecosystem,” said Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil. “It will open new markets and create better income opportunities for thousands of women. Earlier, SHGs lacked digital marketing skills. With Walmart Vriddhi’s support, we can expect their products to reach a wider audience and earn fair value.”

Dr. Shalini observed that the move would give global visibility to Karnataka’s SHG products. “Until now, their products were sold only during departmental events twice a year. With this partnership, SHGs will have opportunities to sell throughout the year. We had local talent; what we needed was external expertise like Walmart Vriddhi to take them global,” she noted.

Jason Fremstad, Walmart’s Senior Vice President noted that by equipping SHGs with digital tools, business training and market access, we are enabling local enterprises to strengthen their competitiveness and turn local impact into national and global opportunity.

The Chief Secretary also announced plans to set up an exclusive SHG products centre at Kempegowda International Airport, strategically located in a high footfall area to attract both domestic and international travellers.

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