Anita Savalsur’s narrative is an example of perseverance, patience, hardwork and enterprise. Hailing from Peth Village, Latur District, she belonged to a family of grocers. Anita was eager to pursue formal education since childhood, but had to discontinue school after 9th standard due to family circumstances. She was married off at 14 years, and resettled in Talani village, Latur.
Her husband cultivated Soyabean, Jowar and Tur using chemical fertilizers in their 3 acres of land but as it was dryland, it resulted in poor harvest most years. She also worked on the land but they survived on meagre income. Always keen to grow, Anita looked for opportunities. She learnt tailoring, bought a sewing machine and started earning Rs. 1500/- per month. This was her earning till she was introduced to Swayam Shikshan Prayog in 2019.
SSP’s training and guidance in various business models and one-acre organic farming brought a huge change in her life. She first transited to organic farming by shifting to vegetables from cash crops and in the process became a farmer from labourer. Now her husband helped her in farming. All through the lock-down in 2020, she had enough fresh vegetables to feed her family as well as sell the vegetables and earned Rs. 6000/- monthly.
Anita took training in dairy development from SSP and accessed loans from Sakhi Samuday Kosh (SSK) and purchased 3 cows. Slowly Anita diversified her businesses and opened a textile garment shop at home, added a Pico-Fall machine, began poultry farming, bought a Papad making machine, a Photocopy machine to name a few activities. Seeing her growth, her family members also joined her and engaged in the businesses. SSP’s intervention has helped her to raise her income from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 27,000/- per month in a span of less than 3 years.
Though Anita’s efforts were to sustain herself to begin with, she has now become an example for several women. She has helped many women join SSP. Twelve women have become entrepreneurs under her mentorship and guidance. Today she is the face of SSP in her village, a leader and resource person executing and implementing the various activities of SSP.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
06th July, 2022