Santoshi Survase, Mamdapur, Latur, Maharashtra

“If banks were to give loans to women they would achieve their dreams!!”

August 26, 2021 was a historic day indeed for SSP & our Sakhi network!! Santoshi Survase, a small farmer from Mamdapur, Latur district, Maharashtra, spoke her mind, & her voice travelled far. She said, “If banks were to give loans to women they would achieve their dreams!!”

All this was triggered when Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Chief General Manager, LHO, State Bank of India, Mumbai heard Santoshi’s appeal, recently on social media. He took immediate steps to fulfill her dreams & that of women’s groups to start collective businesses.

“It is a matter of pride for SBI to provide loans to women farmers & we are committed to providing loans to as many women as possible”, says Mr. Rajesh Kumar.

To show solidarity and support, the SBI officials sanctioned loans on site after they assessed the applications. SBI distributed INR 10 lakhs (INR 50000 each for 20 women farmers) under Mudra loan program to start vermi- compost production.

Since the economic lockdown, more than 10,000 women farmers have taken the lead to do collective marketing of pesticide-free essentials – grains, vegetables, pulses and milk to reach nearby cities.

Link to the program video https://youtu.be/Su_-Ssg9n1Y