Sangita Veer, a grassroots woman leader and entrepreneur, from Wanwada village in Ausa Block of Latur, Maharashtra, comes from a very conservative family. She overcame her family’s disapproval to become a successful businesswoman and role-model for the other women in her community.
Due to the practice of ‘ghoshapadath’, Sangita tai was initially not allowed to go outside the house for work or other activities. When SSP started working in her village, she happened to learn about them from her neighbouring women. Telling her husband that she was visiting the hospital, Sangita tai secretly went and attended an orientation training in Ausa that was organised by SSP. On learning about the various opportunities for women to start their own business, become financially independent and empowered, Sangita tai became very keen to learn more and broaden her horizons. She had to work very hard to convince her husband to let her attend a six-day long Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) training. On completing the program, Sangita was equipped with the knowledge of how to run a small-scale business successfully, and how to manage finances and marketing.
When Sangita tai first wanted to start her business, she received very little support from her husband. With no money of her own, she did not have the means to invest in any economic activity. In 2020, Sangita tai went to visit her mother at her maternal home, and convinced her mother to lend her the initial seed money to start a dairy business at her home. She says that she negotiated with her mother to give her the 2000 rupees, in place of a sari as a gift. With that money, Sangita tai purchased a small cow and started her journey as a self-made entrepreneur. Since a Laxmi Dairy had been established in her village in 2020 itself, Sangita tai was able to get a fair price for her milk that went directly into her bank account. With this initial success in hand, Sangita tai took a loan from her SHG, and reinvested her income from the dairy business to increase her herd. Today she has 2 cows and 1 buffalo, and is earning an income of around Rs. 12,000 per month from the milk business.
Seeing her success, and an improvement in the household finances, Sangita tai’s husband began to come around, and support her in her endeavours over time. In late 2020, Sangita tai heard about a government scheme (ATMA department) at one of her trainings, which provided women with machinery to operate small-scale businesses at a subsidised rate. Along with her own investment from the milk businesses, she convinced her husband to invest a little bit of money into purchasing an atta chakki (flour processing unit) through the scheme. Through targeted marketing efforts, learnt during her EDP training, Sangita tai promoted her business in various local meetings and gatherings. Today, she earns around Rs. 10,000 per month from this business, and has customers from over 50 households in her locality.
Having understood the ins and outs of running a business, Sangita tai was now keen to diversify into other agri-allied livelihood opportunities. In 2021, she started implementing the one-acre farming model on 10 guntas of land. The vegetables that she cultivates using bio-farming methods have improved the health of her family and provide her with an income of around Rs. 2,500 per month. In 2022, she also purchased a goat, and is looking to start goat rearing on a larger scale.
Since Sangita tai joined SSP and became an entrepreneur, she says that she feels like a new person. She has gained the self-confidence to step out of the house, address public meetings and speak to strangers. She has the knowledge and capacity to operate multiple businesses and manage finances. She has also gained respect and recognition both within the house and from the community. As a leader, she has reached over 300 women and guided around 50 women farmers in starting their own businesses.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
January 27, 2023