Namchi, 24 August: The District Collector, Namchi, presented the innovative livelihood initiative PRAYAS – “Small Steps, Big Opportunities” at the NITI Aayog Best Practice Seminar held on 7th August 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi under the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP).
The initiative, developed in Namchi, aims to create sustainable income opportunities for local communities through skill development, market linkage facilitation, and community-led entrepreneurship. Through targeted training and grassroots innovation, PRAYAS has enabled self-reliance, improved household incomes, and significantly enhanced the overall quality of life in the district.
The session, chaired by senior dignitaries including the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Managing Director, ABP & ADP, NITI Aayog, also featured presentations from District Collectors across the country on the theme “Livelihood Innovation”. The event served as a meaningful platform for sharing successful practices, exchanging ideas, and strengthening collaborative efforts towards inclusive rural development.
Local Innovation under PRAYAS Highlighted
Further, as reported by The Hindu, Namchi’s Project PRAYAS has pioneered an innovative model of transforming governance spaces into empowerment platforms. Under this initiative, the Namchi District Collectorate premises have been opened as a weekly marketplace where farmers and members of self-help groups (SHGs) can directly sell their produce and wares to the public.
This intervention has created a vibrant hub for local products, providing farmers and SHG members with better market access, enhanced visibility, and fairer prices for their goods. The weekly market has been well-received by the community and is being viewed as a model of convergence between administration and grassroots livelihood support.
Key Outcomes of PRAYAS
• Recognition at National Level: PRAYAS featured as one of the best practices at NITI Aayog’s seminar under ABP.
• Strengthening Livelihoods: Targeted interventions have enhanced rural incomes and promoted entrepreneurship.
• Market Linkages: The Namchi Collectorate weekly market provides a sustainable platform for farmers and SHGs.
• Replicable Model: The initiative has potential to be scaled across other districts in Sikkim and beyond.
Way Forward
The Namchi District Administration, under the guidance of the State Government and in collaboration with NITI Aayog, will continue to strengthen PRAYAS by scaling up skill development programmes, expanding market linkages, and replicating the Collectorate Market Model across other administrative blocks.
Report from:
Office of the District Collector, Namchi
Government of Sikkim
