Earning Lakhs Annually, This 'Krishi Sakhi' Inspires Thousands Of Women

Once the daughter-in-law of a small farmer family, Suman Devi is today recognised across Varanasi as “Krishi Sakhi.” Through Mission Shakti, she has emerged as an inspiration for women across Uttar Pradesh,

scripting a new chapter of women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance. A resident of Madiya village in Sewapuri block of Varanasi, Suman has not only strengthened her family’s financial position with the support of the Yogi government, but has also shown thousands of women a new path to independence.Her journey began in 2019, when she received coarse-grain seeds and technical guidance from the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Choosing the path of natural farming, Suman began cultivating maize, millet, and rye on her 2.5-acre land. Low input costs and higher-than-expected yields soon turned her efforts into success. Today, she earns a profit of more than Rs 3 lakh every season.With pride, she says, “The Yogi government’s support and knowledge of the schemes have transformed my life. Earlier, I could never have imagined such a large income from such a small piece of land.”Inspired by her story, more than 5,000 women from nearby villages have joined her through self-help groups. Together, they market their grains and vegetables, managing packaging, processing, and sales collectively. This initiative has opened doors to economic independence and collective entrepreneurship for rural women.Suman has also established a flour mill in her village, producing multigrain flour from coarse grains. Available in both packaged and loose form, her products are well-received not only in local markets but also among regular customers who prefer packaged goods. She shares, “The demand is so high that sometimes the land itself feels insufficient. Every season, the grains sell out quickly.” Recently, she harvested maize and is now preparing to sow rye, continuing her cycle of sustainable farming.Beyond coarse grains, Suman has diversified into cattle rearing and natural vegetable farming in partnership with self-help groups. This mixed farming model provides her family with multiple income streams while spreading the message of “healthy food, clean farming” throughout the rural community.Her husband, Dharmendra Singh, who works at the Panchayat Bhawan, supports her in farming along with her mother-in-law and two children. Together, they have turned farming into a dependable and prosperous livelihood. Expressing her gratitude, Suman says, “The Yogi government’s schemes gave me courage. Today, I can provide for my family with confidence, while also guiding thousands of women in my village towards self-reliance.”