Agartala, October 4: A vermicompost unit started with limited resources in 2019 has grown into a diversified rural enterprise generating monthly sales of more than Rs 5 lakh during peak seasons for Junu Bala Roy, a member of Joy Ram Self-Help Group under Natun Alo CLF.
Roy, who has emerged as a ‘Lakhpati Didi’, began her entrepreneurial journey by producing vermicompost on a small scale. With access to loans through community-based organisations and specialised training from RUDSETI under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), she gradually expanded her operations.
She currently manages 30 vermicompost pits and supplies organic fertiliser to farmers. Over time, she diversified her activities into seed trading, vegetable cultivation and fishery, creating multiple sources of income.
Her monthly sales cross Rs 5 lakh during peak seasons, while profits are estimated at around Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, according to details of her enterprise.
The business has also created livelihood opportunities for six other self-help group members, enabling Roy to generate employment while expanding her own enterprise.
Roy’s journey highlights the role of training, access to credit and self-help group networks in helping rural women develop sustainable livelihood activities.
The training provided by RUDSETI helped her acquire skills related to vermicompost production and enterprise management. Loans facilitated through community-based organisations provided financial support to increase the scale of her operations.
Beginning with vermicompost production, Roy gradually expanded into other activities based on local demand and available resources. Seed trading, vegetable cultivation and fishery now form part of her diversified livelihood portfolio.
The diversification has helped her reduce dependence on a single activity while creating additional sources of income and employment.
Roy plans to expand her vermicompost production unit further and increase the scale of the enterprise.
Her experience also demonstrates the potential of self-help groups to support women in moving from small livelihood activities to larger income-generating enterprises.
The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative seeks to enable women members of self-help groups to achieve annual household incomes of at least Rs 1 lakh through sustainable livelihood activities.
Roy’s enterprise has grown with support from community institutions, financial assistance and skill development, while the employment generated by the venture has benefited other SHG members.
Her expansion plans focus on increasing vermicompost production and strengthening the other livelihood activities associated with the enterprise.
The journey of the Tripura woman from a small vermicompost producer to a diversified entrepreneur underscores the potential of organised support, training and access to finance in strengthening rural women’s livelihoods.
