Flipkart and UP Government’s ODOP Department Host Workshop for Rural Artisans, SHGs, and Micro-Entrepreneurs in Varanasi

Udaipur: In a significant initiative to empower rural artisans, self-help groups (SHGs), and micro-entrepreneurs, FlipkartIndia’s leading e-commerce marketplace, collaborated with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s One District-One Product (ODOP) Programme to host an orientation workshop in Varanasi. The workshop aimed to provide local artisans with the knowledge and tools needed to expand their businesses through the Flipkart marketplace, leveraging the vast potential of e-commerce.

The event, attended by officials from the ODOP Department and representatives from Flipkartsought to empower micro and small enterprises, SHGs, and individual artisans involved in handmade and handicraft products. The focus was on introducing these underserved communities to the possibilities of e-commerce, with a vision of providing them access to a national marketplace. Artisans from Varanasias well as surrounding districts such as Chandauli, Jaunpur, and Ghazipurattended the session, which was designed to streamline their product listings, offer business growth opportunities, and support livelihood generation.

Rajneesh KumarChief Corporate Affairs Officer of Flipkart Grouphighlighted the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Flipkart is deeply committed to driving socio-economic growth by empowering artisans, MSMEs, SHGs, women-led enterprises, and craftsmen across India. Through initiatives like Flipkart Samarthour goal is to equip these communities with the tools, resources, and access to national markets needed to thrive in the digital economy.”

He added, “Uttar Pradesh is a critical hub for e-commerce adoption and entrepreneurial growth. Today’s workshop provides a platform for direct engagement with rural artisans, helping them scale their businesses and contribute to inclusive development, thereby strengthening the MSME ecosystem across the country.”

The workshop covered critical aspects of how to operate within Flipkart’s marketplace, from onboarding to listing products, and highlighted the broader benefits of connecting with a national customer base. Attendees were guided on how to maximize their presence on Flipkart, use analytics to improve sales, and tap into logistics solutions to streamline their operations.

The event is part of Flipkart’s broader initiative under Flipkart Samarthwhich aims to bring more rural and underserved communities into the e-commerce fold, providing them with a sustainable business model and a chance to participate in India’s growing digital economy.

This collaboration between Flipkart and the UP Government’s ODOP Department is expected to significantly boost the market access of local artisans, facilitating their journey from small-scale producers to larger, scalable businesses with national reach.

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