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๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ซ: ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ขโ๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐
In Murug village in Bidar, Karnataka, 37-year-old Asha Biradar has spent more than 25 years working on the farm. But for a long time, like many rural women, her contribution to agriculture was rarely recognised in decision-making or leadership.
Her journey began to change when she joined SSPโs Women-Led Climate Resilient Farming (WCRF) initiative.
With training, exposure visits and encouragement, Asha started experimenting with sustainable farming on 30 gunthas of land. Her family was initially hesitant, but she began preparing Jivamrut, Nimboli Arka, Kelisal and vermicompost, and convinced them to try natural inputs.
The results changed their minds.
Today, her family uses bio-manure across their agricultural land. By reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers, Asha saved around โน6,000 in cultivation costs. She also grows vegetables for household consumption, saving approximately โน800โ900 every week. Growing ambadi has further helped reduce household expenditure on edible oil.
Asha has also adopted bio-inputs such as Dashparni Ark and Agniastra, helping improve soil health and crop productivity. Integrated farming, including dairy, provides additional income while strengthening household food security.
But the biggest change is beyond the farm.
As President of the Jijau Mahila Bachat Gat, Asha now encourages other women farmers to learn, experiment and take decisions. Soil testing has also been conducted for 20 women farmers in Murug with support from Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
Ashaโs story shows that when women gain knowledge, confidence and space to lead, farming becomes more than a livelihood. It becomes a pathway to resilience, dignity and leadership.
Asha says, โWhen we protect the soil, the soil protects our future.โ
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
31 August, 2026
