‘More than my food business, it’s about uplifting my community’
A training programme prompted her to start her own ragi-based food business. After a successful start, she has expanded the business and now trains other women in her village for better livelihood.
Shakuntala Devi, a resident of Kulabira village in Gumla district of Jharkhand, started her own ragi-based food business on a small scale. She has subsequently expanded it and now also trains other women, providing them a livelihood. Here’s her story in her own words:
Growing up in Gunia village with seven siblings, I learned the value of hard work at a young age.
I always had big ambitions, even though I couldn’t study beyond Class IX. But I will tell you, education isn’t just about what you learn in school; it’s about what you learn from life.
I got married when I was 19, and came to live in Kulabira village with my husband, who works as a mason. But settling down for me didn’t mean settling for less.
I started Champa Mahila Mandal, a self-help group, with other village women, so we could fulfil our ambitions.
The turning point came in January 2023, when I was one of the 15 women selected to attend a training course at Birsa Agriculture University and a refresher course at the Institute of Hotel Management in Ranchi.
Initially, I thought it was a training programme for madua (ragi) production, which I already know. However, it was different. I learnt how to prepare a variety of food items, including laddu, dhuska, nimki, biscuits and snack mixture from ragi.
With my newfound skills, I became a ragi-based food entrepreneur.
To start my business, I relied on my savings rather than seeking loans.
Putting up my first stall at a local fair near Gumla town was a big milestone. The ragi-based laddoos gained immense popularity, selling within hours.
This success in the food business instilled confidence in me, reaffirming the belief that hard work pays.
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From local fairs to government contracts, my ragi-based food business journey unfolded rapidly.
I put up stalls at various fairs, showcasing ragi products that I’d prepared with my husband’s help.
The response was overwhelming. Within months, I expanded my reach to different districts of Jharkhand and even participated in events in Bengaluru.
Empowered by this success, I began training other women in making laddoo and other products from ragi, providing them with employment opportunities.
It wasn’t just about business; it was about uplifting my community.
I expanded my food business to meet bigger orders and connected with government offices.
Obtaining an FSSAI licence was a significant milestone, paving the way for branding and wider promotion of our ragi-based food business.
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Advocating the health benefits of ragi has become my mission.
Despite the fluctuating market, I am committed to my mission, all the while enjoying the recognition from buyers like organisations such as PRADAN, PRAN, NABARD and RUDSETI.
We have successfully expanded our market to cities like Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Varanasi.
My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support, and of course the support of my husband and three children.
It’s not just about entrepreneurship; it’s about empowering women and fostering community development.
As I look ahead, I see endless possibilities, fuelled by the belief that with hard work and determination, one can achieve anything.
Reporting by Anisha Roy, Lead – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at Mlinda Charitable Trust. Photographs by Sandeep Yadav, Program Associate, Mlinda Charitable Trust.