Bhagyashree Yadav, a woman leader and entrepreneur from Borfal village in Ausa Block of Latur District stands out as an inspiration to others, with her path breaking work in building women’s leadership and supporting them to become financially independent.
Bhagyashree tai first joined SSP in early-2022, working as a leader in her village to promote climate-smart agriculture and women’s entrepreneurship. Having attended SSP’s Entrepreneurship Development Program herself, she enrolled herself in a cosmetology course and started her own beauty parlour business. At the same time, she also began to implement the one-acre farming model on her farm, and started selling organic vegetables in the village. Both these businesses were a success, with Bhagyashree tai earning around Rs. 20,000 per month on average. Recognising the importance of having diversified sources of income, Bhagyashree tai invested all her earnings into starting a dairy business. With the help of a ‘Dhanshakti loan’ from SSP, Bhagyashree tai purchased three cows. As a member of the local Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), Swayam Sakhi Shetmal Producer Company, she was also eligible to start a Laxmi Dairy in her village. In February 2023, Bhagyashree tai became the proprietor of her own Laxmi Dairy, the first women-led dairy in her village. Today over 70 farmers are linked to her Laxmi Dairy, and she collects around 350 litres of milk per day, earning around Rs.25,000 per month from this enterprise.
As a leader, and then a mentor, Bhagyashree tai has helped over 35 women in her village to start multiple businesses. Through her dairy, farmers are now getting a fair rate for their milk, which has led to over 10 families in her village increasing their livestock and selling milk to the Laxmi Dairy. Due to her excellent work in the community, Bhagyashree tai was also elected as a member of the village Gram Panchayat in the recent 2022 elections. In her five-year tenure, she wants to empower more women from her village and promote inclusive community development that reaches the most vulnerable members of society.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
May 18, 2023