Marking a significant step towards strengthening women-led livelihoods and preserving Assam’s renowned Eri silk heritage, PepsiCo India today inaugurated the Nalbari Development Hub in Chengnoi, Assam, under its RevolutioNari initiative, in partnership with Mrida Heart ’N’ Soil Foundation. The Hub brings together technology, skilling, financial inclusion and market access to help rural women participate across the Eri silk value chain and build sustainable income opportunities within their communities.

Anchored in PepsiCo India’s Partnership of Progress philosophy, the initiative reflects a collaborative approach that brings together local communities, implementation partners and institutional stakeholders to create sustainable pathways for economic participation and inclusive growth. By strengthening traditional livelihoods through modern tools and market linkages, the Development Hub aims to improve income opportunities while preserving a craft deeply embedded in Assam’s cultural identity. The Development Hub builds on PepsiCo India’s growing commitment to Assam, following the announcement of its new Nalbari Foods Manufacturing Facility. Together, these efforts reinforce the company’s focus on creating shared value through community development, women’s economic participation and livelihood enhancement alongside its business investments in the state.

Impact at a Glance:

·       3,510+ women reached through community awareness and mobilisation programmes. ·       100+ women trained across five livelihood trades. ·       30 women trained across the Eri silk value chain. ·       25–30 households connected to the Eri silk value chain, up from just two households previously. ·       2.5x higher yarn output enabled through solar-powered spinning technology. ·       10 solar-powered spinning machines and two looms established at the Development Hub.

• Three product lines market-ready for commercial opportunities.

·       25 households enrolled on formal handloom systems through Pehchan Cards and Yarn Passbooks.

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, said: “At PepsiCo India, our RevolutioNari initiative is fueled by the belief that inclusive growth begins at the community level, when women have the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. The Nalbari Development Hub brings this vision to life by combining local knowledge with technology, skilling and market access to strengthen traditional livelihoods. Through our Partnership of Progress philosophy, we are working alongside our partners and local communities towards supporting both the preservation of a local craft and its evolution into a viable economic opportunity.”

Arun Nagpal, Co-Founder and Director, Mrida Group, said “At Mrida, we believe lasting change comes from building holistic ecosystems of development, from awareness to entrepreneurship and market linkages. The Nalbari Eri Silk D-Hub is a live example of this philosophy on the ground. Partnerships have been central to this journey, and I am grateful to everyone who made it possible, from the women entrepreneurs of Chengnoi to the Weavers’ Service Centre, PepsiCo and others, without whose support the D-Hub could not have seen the light of day. By using blockchain technology to provide end-to-end traceability across the value chain, we are helping these products stand apart and reach premium customers, leading to significantly higher incomes for the women. The PepsiCo–Mrida partnership remains committed to supporting the D-Hub on its path to sustainability and scale.”

Eri silk has deep roots in Nalbari and has historically been practised by the Bodo community. However, labour-intensive processes and limited commercial opportunities have made sustaining the craft increasingly challenging over time.

The intervention is supporting the modernisation of production while retaining the authenticity of the craft. Solar-powered spinning machines enable faster and more consistent yarn production, while jacquard-attached looms help artisans create more intricate designs. The initiative is also supporting product development and market access through collaborations with institutions such as the Weavers’ Service Centre, Guwahati.

The initiative also focuses on strengthening participants’ access to formal handloom systems and financial opportunities. Through facilitation of Pehchan Cards and Yarn Passbooks via the Weavers’ Service Centre, eligible households can access applicable yarn subsidies. Participants may also access collateral-free MUDRA credit ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, enabling them to invest in and expand their livelihoods.

The Development Hub is being advanced as a village-as-a-hub model, with Chengnoi serving as the first proof point. Going forward, the focus will be on strengthening market linkages, expanding participation across neighbouring communities and building a scalable ecosystem for sustainable livelihoods rooted in Assam’s traditional crafts.

Pankaj Sarmah, Assistant Director, Weavers’ Service Centre, Guwahati, said: “The Government and the Weavers’ Service Centre remain committed to providing all possible benefits to our weavers. I appreciate the efforts of PepsiCo, Mrida, Sanjog and the other stakeholders in creating an ecosystem where the women and villagers of Chengnoi can build sustainable incomes as entrepreneurs across the Eri silk value chain. While we will all be there to support them, the most critical factor for success will be the women’s own desire and determination to dream, to work towards those dreams, and to make full use of the opportunities before them. I hope this D-Hub becomes a successful and sustainable pilot that can be replicated and scaled up across Nalbari and other districts over time.”

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