Patna, Dec 27 (PTI) Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday urged Bihar's youth and women to come forward and embrace entrepreneurship.

Speaking at 'Grameen Bharat Mahotsav', organised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Manjhi highlighted the key role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in rural entrepreneurship, development of indigenous products and cottage and small-scale industries.

"Youth and women of Bihar should come forward to embrace entrepreneurship," the Union minister said.

He thanked NABARD for organising the 10-day mahotsav from December 19 at Gandhi Maidan here for the promotion of products of rural entrepreneurs, women of self-help groups, and people associated with handlooms and handicrafts.

Gautam Kumar Singh, chief general manager, NABARD Bihar, said platforms like the mahotsav connect rural artisans, SHGs, producer organisations (FPOs), and micro-entrepreneurs to urban markets.

He added that such events provide opportunities for direct market access, customer feedback, understanding market trends, product diversification, and skill development.

Singh said NABARD was committed to promote sustainable rural development in Bihar through various schemes related to agriculture, rural handicrafts, rural industries and skill development.

Ranvir Nandan, chairman, Bihar State Religious Trust Council (BSRTC), was also present on the occasion. PTI PKD MNB

NABARD festival urges Bihar youth and women to embrace entrepreneurship and links rural MSMEs to urban markets. The minister urged Bihar's youth and women to adopt entrepreneurship, highlighting MSMEs' role in rural entrepreneurship and cottage industries, while NABARD framed the festival as a platform connecting artisans, SHGs and producer organisations to urban markets to provide direct market access, customer feedback, product diversification, skill development and promote sustainable rural development through targeted schemes.