Hyderabad, July 1 (RAHNUMA): Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said that women’s empowerment is the strongest foundation for building a developed and inclusive India, and called for collective efforts to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reach every section of society.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day national conference on community-led pathways for inclusive growth, organised as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivruddhi Society (APMAS) at the Dr. MCR HRD Institute, Hyderabad on Wednesday, the Governor commended APMAS for its 25-year journey of promoting community institutions and strengthening rural livelihoods.
Describing the organisation’s Silver Jubilee as more than a milestone in institutional growth, the Governor said it symbolised trust, dedicated service, innovation and social transformation. He lauded APMAS for its sustained efforts in empowering women, farmers and rural communities, and for emerging as a model for community-driven development across the country.
Referring to the Self-Help Group (SHG) movement, Shukla observed that it had evolved into one of the largest social development movements in the world. As of March 31, 2025, over 170 million rural families had been brought under the SHG network across India, while 14.3 million SHGs had been linked to the banking system, collectively accessing credit exceeding ₹3.04 lakh crore. He said the achievement represented not merely financial inclusion but also the emergence of women’s leadership, rural entrepreneurship and grassroots social transformation.
Highlighting Telangana’s achievements, the Governor said APMAS had played a significant role in strengthening the State’s women’s Self-Help Groups by supporting more than six lakh SHGs, 23,000 federations and nearly 6.7 million women members. He also acknowledged the organisation’s contribution to the establishment of Stree Nidhi, the community-owned financial institution that has become a vital source of affordable credit for rural women.
According to the Governor, as of March 31, 2026, Stree Nidhi had extended loans exceeding ₹25,000 crore to nearly 3.2 million members, significantly improving access to institutional finance in rural areas.
The Governor further noted that APMAS is presently supporting 86 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), benefiting nearly 40,000 small and marginal farmers by strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing their livelihoods.
Referring to Telangana’s long-term vision of becoming a US$3 trillion economy by 2047 under the “Telangana Rising–2047” initiative, Shiv Pratap Shukla stressed the need for coordinated efforts by governments, community institutions and civil society.
He called for greater emphasis on natural farming, water conservation, value addition in agriculture, climate-resilient technologies and strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations to achieve sustainable rural development.
