Growing Her Own Path: Punam Kumari’s Journey to Dignity and Leadership
Punam Kumari hails from Sadbahari village in Nalanda district of Bihar. The beginning of her married life was marked by financial vulnerability. With limited land and irregular income from her husband’s work as a mason, meeting daily needs was a constant struggle. With three daughters, one son, and elderly in-laws, Punam’s role remained confined to household responsibilities, and she had little voice in family decisions.
Her journey began when she joined a Self Help Group and took up stitching work. Though the income was modest, it gave her confidence and a first step towards independence. A community meeting with Swayam Shikshan Prayog became the turning point in her life.
Through SSP, Punam received training in entrepreneurship and Women led Climate Resilient Farming. She transformed unused land into a productive organic kitchen garden and began cultivating vegetables along with food grains on one acre for the first time in her household.
She learned composting and became the first woman in her village to produce vermicompost using tetra bag technology. Her work soon gained recognition. She was selected as an agri entrepreneur by Syngenta, completed a 45 day training, and began providing soil testing and fertilizer services locally.
Today, Punam earns around ₹25,000 per month through multiple livelihood activities. She actively participates in household decisions, and her children now have better access to education and nutrition.
“The SSP training gave me skills, farming gave me income, but entrepreneurship gave me my identity.”
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
14 April, 2026
