Women's farming group in Jalna reports Rs 68 lakh annual turnover
The Shiv Swarajya Farmer Producer Company has grown from 20 to 803 members across 18 villages in Maharashtra.
An all-women-led agricultural business in Maharashtra's Jalna district has reported an annual turnover of Rs 68 lakh, according to the Times of India. The Shiv Swarajya Farmer Producer Company began with 20 women farmers and has expanded to include 803 members across 18 villages.
The collective operates through a shared business model that includes collective farming and marketing of agricultural produce. The company is governed by an all-women Board of Directors, which allows the members to participate in decisions regarding cultivation, marketing, and income generation.
The initiative received support from the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Unnati programme and the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR). These organisations assisted in moving the members from individual farming to a formal enterprise structure.
The programme's interventions included work on water conservation infrastructure, irrigation practices, and sustainable agricultural methods. Improved water availability has helped the members plan cultivation and increase farm productivity.
The farmer-owned structure allows members to coordinate agricultural activities and explore additional income opportunities beyond conventional crop sales. This approach aims to provide better negotiating power when dealing with traders and buyers compared to individual selling.