Rural India is home of the original gig-economy worker. Enterprising villagers hop from tilling fields to tending shops, to door-to-door selling each day. Read the latest trends in micro-enterprises, rural start-ups and the shifting livelihoods of India’s villagers.
Livelihoods
Odisha delivery agent seeks support to continue MBBS
Despite facing financial challenges, the determination of Hebal Pradhan, who hails from a remote village in Odisha, to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor has ignited a wave of support from his community, his medical college and well-wishers.
Solar power a money-spinner for women spinning eri silk yarn
Spinning eri silk yarn – though tedious and time-consuming with a traditional tool – is a way of life for women in Meghalaya. Using solar-powered spinning machines, they now spin more yarn and earn more.
Purulia farm transforms barren land into green oasis
Breathing new life into the arid, red soil and the souls of its people, this agricultural venture has transformed into a catalyst for community empowerment and ecological restoration in West Bengal’s Purulia district.
How women are taking care of livestock health in UP
With veterinary clinics being miles away, livestock healthcare was difficult for villagers in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Trained women pashu sakhis now treat goats locally, getting financially independent and empowered in the process.
Blacksmiths show an iron will in this MP village
Faced with dwindling sales, blacksmiths in Kala Dumar village of Jabalpur are looking at giving a contemporary touch to their products to get good prices and also engage their future generation in the skill-based ancestral practice.
From pond to Padma Shri, Odisha’s aquaculture icon charts new waters
Batakrushna Sahoo, the ‘Aquaman’ of Odisha, rose from humble beginnings to national recognition for revolutionising fish farming and empowering thousands through free training programmes and initiatives like Aqua Chaupal.
A low-power cold storage solution to help farmers
This Purdue and IIT Kharagpur alumnus has won the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge for a unique cold storage model he has created to help Indian farmers. He talks to Village Square about the innovation.
This award-winning startup is resolving India’s fodder crisis
In a bid to help small farmers earn more, Hydrogreens Agri Solutions is creating sustainable solutions for better livestock fodder production. Vasanth Madhav Kamath, winner of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge, talks about his venture and journey.
Meshing tech and rural crafts
Meenakshi Dubey, the founder of the online portal Yespoho and winner of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge, talks to us about how she uses technology to promote rural craftspersons.