๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ: ๐๐๐ญ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ
In Samundi village of Nashik district, Maharashtra, Ratna Gareโs family depended largely on agriculture and small livelihood activities. Like many rural households, they struggled with climate variability, rising input costs, and uncertain incomes. Determined to create greater stability for her family and community, Ratna joined initiatives facilitated by Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP).
Her participation in the Women-led Climate Resilient Farming (WCRF) practices marked a turning point. Through structured training and peer learning, Ratna deepened her understanding of sustainable agriculture, local food security, nutrition, and womenโs leadership. What she learned quickly translated into action on her farm and within her community.
In February 2025, with support from SSP and Mankind Pharma, Ratna launched a women-led flour mill enterprise. This initiative increased her monthly income by โน3,000โโน4,000 and strengthened her role in household decision-making. Alongside the enterprise, she adopted sustainable farming practices, established a kitchen garden to enhance her familyโs nutrition, and completed training in mushroom cultivationโdiversifying both income and food sources.
Ratna is an active member of Lekurwali Mata Swayam Sakhi Farmer Producer Company and participates in the Village Kind Committee (VKC), where she contributes to collective planning on climate resilience, food security, and womenโs economic empowerment. Her growing confidence and willingness to explore new enterprises reflect her adaptive mindset and emerging leadership.
Today, Ratnaโs efforts have strengthened her familyโs income and nutrition security while inspiring other women in her village to adopt sustainable farming and entrepreneurship. She envisions a future where women-led enterprises form the backbone of resilient rural communitiesโwhere women are confident decision-makers and collective action drives long-term prosperity.
Through knowledge, confidence, and perseverance, Ratna Gare is shaping a more resilient futureโfor her family, her village, and her community.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
13 February, 2026