The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, under Project SANKALP, conducted a 20-day free Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP) at Bommidi in Dharmapuri District, focusing on Coconut and Millet Products Value Addition. The programme was sponsored by Standard Chartered Global Business Services (SCGBS) with the objective of promoting women’s entrepreneurship and sustainable micro-enterprises.
The training provided beneficiaries with practical, hands-on exposure in preparing value-added coconut and millet products, including coconut sweets, coconut milk, coconut bun, millet laddu, health mix and Nutri ABC malt. The programme focused on developing technical skills as well as enabling participants to convert their skills into sustainable income-generating enterprises.
The Valedictory Ceremony was held on August 26, 2026, during which the successful participants received their EDII MSDP certificates.
Speaking at the programme, Ashok, Entrepreneurship Expert, EDII, explained that beneficiaries completing the training would receive continued handholding support for accessing various Central and State Government schemes, including PMFME and TWEES, for starting and expanding their enterprises.
He stated that EDII also supports beneficiaries through credit linkage, EDII WeAct handholding support, FSSAI registration, MSME Udyam Registration, branding and marketing support, exhibitions and market exposure visits. Depending on the applicable scheme and project, eligible entrepreneurs may receive subsidy support as per the respective government scheme guidelines. EDII provides guidance and handholding support to beneficiaries without charging service fees.
He further informed the participants about an upcoming exposure visit to NIFTEM, Thanjavur, which will provide additional exposure to food processing, value addition and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Sendhil Kumar and Kowsalya, successful entrepreneurs from Dharmapuri District who have availed support under the PMFME subsidy scheme, shared their entrepreneurial experiences and motivated the participants. They highlighted the growing demand for millet-based products and the potential for market and export opportunities. They also expressed their willingness to purchase millet products produced by EDII beneficiaries, thereby creating potential market linkages.
Gowri, District Resource Person, PMFME, Dharmapuri District, motivated the participants and assured them of support and guidance in preparing project reports, understanding the PMFME scheme and completing the process for establishing food-processing enterprises.
Saranya, an EDII-trained entrepreneur and beneficiary from SANKALP Phase I, shared her entrepreneurial journey and motivated the participants to utilise the skills gained through the MSDP training to start and successfully manage their own enterprises.
The programme concluded with the distribution of EDII MSDP certificates to the successful participants. The event highlighted the importance of skill development, value addition, credit linkage and market support in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women.
“EDII is committed to providing continuous handholding support to trained beneficiaries and connecting them with appropriate government schemes, financial institutions and market opportunities so that training can be transformed into sustainable enterprises,” said Ashok, Entrepreneurship Expert, EDII.