Durg District Incubation Centre Brings Startups, SHGs, and Entrepreneurs Together

New Delhi: The villages of Chhattisgarh are home to thousands of skilled artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs. By combining the expertise of social enterprises with grassroots talent, the state can unlock new growth opportunities and boost rural livelihoods.

With thousands of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and micro-enterprises operating across Chhattisgarh, experts say the time is ripe for stronger collaboration between social enterprises and grassroots producers to build market-ready rural businesses.

While the state has made steady progress in women’s empowerment and rural livelihood missions, the challenge remains in helping small manufacturers and collectives bridge the gap between production and profitable marketing. Most local entrepreneurs face difficulties in product refinement, branding, pricing, and accessing larger markets beyond their districts.

Recognizing this need, the TISS Incube Foundation, in collaboration with the Durg District Incubation Centre, has developed a unique incubation model that brings together start-ups, social enterprises, and local producers on one platform. Through mentorship, enterprise development training, and technology access, the initiative has helped several rural entrepreneurs and SHGs transform their local products into competitive brands.

Among the participating social enterprises, ADKMAKERS PRIVATE LIMITED, a Haryana-based organization with the motto “Modern, Prosperous and Skilled India,” has emerged as a standout performer. The company’s team has been working closely with local producer groups and SHGs in Chhattisgarh, providing them with product development support, market linkages, and skill enhancement programs.

Speaking about the experience, Mr. Rahul Dhingra, CEO of ADKMAKERS PRIVATE LIMITED, said, “Chhattisgarh has immense untapped potential in its rural economy. The artisans and small entrepreneurs here are skilled, but they often lack exposure to modern market systems. Our mission is to strengthen these small units, guide them through the value chain, and make them confident to compete in open markets. Sustainable livelihood comes from empowerment, not dependence.”

Experts believe that such partnerships — combining government initiatives, social enterprise expertise, and academic incubation models — could be a game-changer for Chhattisgarh’s rural economy. As more institutions replicate the Durg incubation model, the hope is to see local SHGs and FPOs evolve from subsistence-level producers to dynamic contributors to the state’s industrial and agricultural growth.