Agartala, October 4: What started as a small vermicompost venture in 2019 has grown into a diversified livelihood enterprise for Junu Bala Roy, a member of Joy Ram Self-Help Group under Natun Alo CLF, who has emerged as a 'Lakhpati Didi'.
Roy began producing vermicompost on a small scale with limited resources. With access to loans through community-based organisations and specialised training provided by RUDSETI through the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), she gradually expanded her business and diversified her sources of income.
She now manages 30 vermicompost pits and supplies organic fertiliser to farmers. Alongside vermicompost production, Roy has ventured into seed trading, vegetable cultivation and fishery, creating multiple sources of livelihood.
During peak seasons, her monthly sales cross Rs 5 lakh, while her reported monthly profits are in the range of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
Her enterprise has also provided employment opportunities to six members of self-help groups, extending the benefits of the venture beyond her own household.
Roy's journey reflects the role of self-help groups, access to institutional credit and skill development in helping women in rural areas establish and expand livelihood activities.
The availability of training through RUDSETI helped her acquire skills related to enterprise management and vermicompost production, while loans facilitated through community-based organisations provided financial support for expanding the venture.
The diversification into seed trading, vegetable cultivation and fishery has helped reduce dependence on a single source of income and enabled her to cater to different segments of the local rural economy.
Roy now plans to expand her vermicompost production unit further and increase the scale of her enterprise.
Her experience also highlights how SHG-based livelihood programmes can help rural women move from small-scale activities to income-generating enterprises, while creating employment opportunities for other members of their communities.
The 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative seeks to support women associated with self-help groups in achieving annual household income of at least Rs 1 lakh through sustainable livelihood activities.
Roy's enterprise is an example of how access to credit, training and collective support can enable women in rural areas to diversify their livelihoods and improve their earning capacity.
