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40 Lakh+ Women in Self Help Groups
“Where Tradition Meets Enterprise”
Andhra Pradesh is home to one of India's most powerful women's economic networks. Over 40 lakh women are organized under Self Help Groups through the state's Ajeevika mission — running micro-businesses in food processing, handloom weaving, aquaculture, and retail. These groups have transformed ordinary households into production units that export to over 30 countries.
Women in Andhra Pradesh dominate the handloom sector. The silk sarees of Pochampally, Dharmavaram, and Mangalagiri are woven almost entirely by women artisans — an industry worth over ₹2,000 crore annually. In coastal areas, women run fish processing units supplying to Japan, the EU, and the Middle East. Their presence in aquaculture is not incidental — it is foundational.
The state's emerging IT corridor in Visakhapatnam has also become a launchpad for women-led digital startups. From digital marketing agencies to SaaS platforms, women entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh are proving that technology, tradition, and enterprise belong together — and that southern India's growth story is written by women.
Finance & Policy
India's Finance Minister — first full-time woman to present 7 consecutive Union Budgets
Sports & Entrepreneurship
Olympic silver medalist turned brand owner and sports entrepreneur, inspiring millions of young women in AP
Andhra Pradesh women export handloom textiles to 30+ countries, supply seafood to Japan and the EU, and run IT service companies with global clients. Their SHG network model is being studied and replicated across 12 African countries as a proven framework for women's economic empowerment at scale.
Digital products designed to help you start, grow, and scale your business — wherever you are in India.
Grow your handloom or food business online with ready-made posts
Step-by-step guides to formalize and scale your SHG business
Plan your production cycles, orders, and finances efficiently
Learn digital marketing and export documentation online
Join thousands of women entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh and across India who use Srishti Digital Store to grow their businesses online.
Andhra Pradesh has over 40 lakh women organized in Self Help Groups, with hundreds of thousands running formal businesses in textiles, aquaculture, IT, and agro-processing. The state ranks among India's top 3 for women-led MSME registration.
Women lead in handloom weaving (70% of weavers are women), aquaculture processing, organic spice exports, dairy farming, and increasingly in IT and digital services. The silk saree industry of Pochampally is almost entirely women-driven.
They contribute significantly to India's textile exports, food processing sector, and rural employment. Their SHG model has become a national template replicated by 22 other states. AP women file over 28% of all new MSME registrations in the state.
Women in Andhra Pradesh are using social media templates, business planning tools, and digital courses to reach customers beyond their local markets. WhatsApp Business, Instagram Shops, and digital payment tools have transformed their reach dramatically.
Start by identifying your skill — whether weaving, cooking, teaching, or designing. Build your online presence using social media templates and business eBooks available at Srishti Digital Store. Your first sale can happen within 30 days of going digital.