Chellammal, Organic Vegetable Sales

I had a love marriage at age 16 and we now have 3 children. All are studying in government school. My husband and I together could make only Rs 40-50 a day cutting and polishing gems for a middle man. I got a loan from a group SHG and started cultivating green leaves and vegetables on my husband’s family land, where I earned enough to purchase one acre of my own land.

Now SRIA came forth with a Prosperity Rings loan for me to buy seedlings — brinjal, lady finger, bitter gourd, and snack gourd. To produce organic vegetables, I use cow dung and urine as natural fertilization. Besides my own vegetables, I purchase other vegetables from the wholesale market, earning Rs 400-500 a day, Rs 12000-15000 a month. On my rented two wheeler, I sell to the weekly markets.

Now I fix the rate for vegetable sales depending on local availability, with a maximum 40-70% profit. I’ve become a leader in our village and help other ladies in literacy, farming, and business activity. Naturally, I will expand cultivation by employing others.