Women in communities such as Chimkatola and Kevlari are transitioning from subsistence farming to entrepreneurial ventures following participation in a homestead project focused on sustainable agricultural practices.

The initiative provides comprehensive training designed to enhance productivity and ensure long-term sustainability. Pradan staff offer instruction in bio-composting, efficient water management, and strategic crop scheduling. Farmers are also acquiring skills in adjusting sowing times and improving canopy management to optimise light and air circulation within crops. The programme further promotes the use of climate-resilient seed varieties to boost overall productivity, as noted by Saurav Kumar.

Future Market Access and Price Stability

Looking ahead, the project team intends to establish wholesale centres to facilitate the transportation of farmers’ produce to larger markets. This strategic development aims to provide farmers with more stable prices for their goods, moving beyond local subsistence sales.

Empowerment and Visible Transformation

The homestead project has fostered a significant transformation, enabling women to perceive farming as an enterprise rather than solely a means of sustenance. This shift is evident not only in the improved management of fields in areas like Chimkatola and Kevlari but also in the increased confidence of the women involved. Kusum Devi, a participant in the programme, remarked, “Earlier, we were invisible in farming. Now, we are the decision-makers.”