Nasheman news
*Dr. Patil highlights the initiative’s focus on women empowerment
*Akka Café set to drive socio-economic growth across Karnataka
*Program spearheaded by National Livelihood Mission-Karnataka
Devanahalli (Bengaluru Rural), October 8: Minister for medical education, skill development, entrepreneurship and livelihood, Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, emphasized the pivotal role of women empowerment in advancing Karnataka’s socio-economic development during the launch of the state government’s Akka Café initiative on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Patil underscored the initiative’s transformative potential for women in both urban and rural areas, fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship. “The Akka Café initiative will create a lasting impact on Karnataka’s socio-economic landscape by empowering women, especially in rural areas, and promoting entrepreneurship,” he said.
Akka Café, introduced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2024-25 budget, is aimed at bolstering economic empowerment for women and creating sustainable livelihoods. The program specifically supports women entrepreneurs, particularly from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), by offering them opportunities to manage and operate state-of-the-art cafés. These cafés will showcase local cuisine while adhering to high standards of quality and hygiene.
In its first phase, the government plans to establish 50 cafés across the state, blending rural and urban locations. SHG women will manage these cafés, receiving up to Rs 15 lakh in grants for setup costs, including infrastructure support. In addition, 2500 coffee kiosks will be opened across the state. Rural women will trained with the help of central coffee board. For this Rs 25 crore has been set aside
This aligns with the government’s broader vision of promoting sustainable livelihoods and empowering women economically.
The National Livelihood Mission-Karnataka (NLM) is implementing the Akka Café initiative through the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment in rural areas.
To ensure the success of the initiative, NLM has partnered with IHM-Bengaluru to provide SHG women with the necessary skills to manage the cafés effectively. Additionally, NLM is piloting a bakery unit, also run by SHG women entrepreneurs, with training facilitated by a partner NGO. This bakery unit will serve as a cloud kitchen, supplying items like cookies, muffins, and cakes to Akka Cafés in Bengaluru, while also operating a premium bakery outlet in Devanahalli. The bakery unit, backed by innovative technology and sound business practices, will provide an additional revenue stream for women entrepreneurs, further enhancing their economic independence.
The launch ceremony was attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister and Bengaluru Rural District Incharge Minister KH Muniyappa, additional chief secretary Uma Mahadevan, NRLM mission director PI Sree Vidya, Bangalore rural DC N Shiva Shankar, Bangalore rural ZP CEO KN Anuradha
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CLOUD KITCHEN FACILITY
You no longer need to travel to Devanahalli or distant locations to enjoy the delicious offerings of Akka Café. Thanks to the initiative by the Livelihood Department, Akka Café products are now available through a cloud kitchen service. Simply order online and have your favorite bakery items delivered right to your doorstep.
