“An inspiring story of an entrepreneur doesn’t begin with what one can do; rather, it is about what one wants to do and if they get the ball rolling!”
How did Mamta do it?
Mamta wanted to be an entrepreneur, and Udyogini made it possible for her. She comes from a small village in Madhya Pradesh, where her family practises traditional farming. In the last decade, her husband was often unwell, making it difficult for the family to earn enough money. She wanted to change her circumstances and become an empowered woman in the family—to be the breadwinner. She came into contact with Udyogini, where she learned that it was possible for her to start something of her own. Out of all the women present in the meeting, Mamta was the most excited. She immediately signed up for the training on backyard poultry and vegetable cultivation.
Despite the prevalent thought in our country, especially in rural areas, that the greatest responsibility for a woman is to nurture her family and children, Mamta started her own backyard poultry farm within months of her training. She broke all stereotypes, with her husband being her biggest support. While she was out there working and inspiring other women, her husband and her mother-in-law raised the kids, who were very young when she began her journey.
How her empowerment journey unfolded
She has been working with Udyogini for around 4 years now. As a woman entrepreneur, she cultivates vegetables and maintains backyard poultry. Her income has increased by 80%, from almost nothing to INR 40,000 per year. A Self-Help Group (SHG) member, she is also a board member of the Ujaas Cooperative in her village. With her experience, she has mobilised other women to follow her path towards economic empowerment. She shares her knowledge and guidance about the techniques in agriculture, the process, and crop varieties with her fellow women.
When she started, the women in her community were apprehensive. With her determination and gradual progress, they started believing in her. Soon, she became an inspiration to them. During the pandemic, their agricultural work was most affected. The community is still bearing the brunt of the lockdown.
New Beginnings for the Women in Her Village
In an attempt to be prepared for an economic crisis of this scale in the future, Mamta and her group of women brainstormed different business ideas that would help them earn. They have undertaken activities such as the vaccination of birds, the making and selling of sweets, pickles, incense sticks, and brooms. All of these activities are in the true nature and form of an entrepreneur, i.e., taking the risk when things get tough.
The driven group inspired by Mamta is now an established microenterprise! What an inspirational journey of women’s empowerment and economic excellence! Udyogini is a proud NGO for contributing towards this mission.
