Unable to sustain her family with an agricultural income, this Jharkhand farmer sees an opportunity in supplying filtered water. With the right support, she establishes herself as a successful entrepreneur and is raring to grow.
Many farmers find it difficult to sustain themselves through conventional agricultural practices, especially with the added uncertainties brought about by climate change. It was no different for Radhika Devi, a 25-year-old resident of Kenke village in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand.
She found herself at a crossroads. She lives in a joint family that is into cultivation. With limited income from farming, the family’s earnings were insufficient to cover their expenses.
Though the family seemed to be in dire straits, Devi was determined to change their circumstances, and so she embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with her husband Sunil Kumar’s support.
Devi’s journey towards entrepreneurship began with a spark of inspiration ignited at a Yuva Chaupal. This bi-monthly panchayat-level engagement brings together youth with diverse aspirations, for focused group activities. Youth interested in entrepreneurship, for instance, brainstorm and document their business ideas, challenges and required support. They collaborate, fostering a supportive environment for personal and community growth.
This initiative is a part of the Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) approach – implemented by Transform Rural India (TRI), with the support of Standard Chartered Bank – to enhance economic livelihood opportunities and bring prosperity to youth’s lives.
At the Yuva Chaupal organised in Huppu, her panchayat, Devi got to know about the services offered by TRI Youth Hub – an initiative of TRI that sensitises urban youth about the challenges and complexities of rural India, to bridge the urban-rural divide.
The Youth Hub is a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs like Devi. She recognised the high demand for filtered water in their area and that it presented a potential business opportunity. Devi and her husband approached the Youth Hub with their business idea of supplying filtered water to residences and commercial establishments.
With the guidance of the Youth Hub manager, she meticulously crafted a business plan to run the business from her own space. She added an electricity connection and sourced the necessary equipment including a filter and a chiller machine.
She attended an accelerated entrepreneurship development programme (AEDP) training for five days, where she learnt the technicalities of running a business, customer relationship, marketing, financial literacy and making a business plan.
Though the initial investment required was a significant amount, it did not deter Devi and her husband. They sought the support of their family. Through the sale of a part of their 3-decimal land for Rs 3 lakh, personal savings and a loan of Rs 70,000 obtained from Rang De – a peer-to-peer micro-lending platform, they managed to gather the necessary funds to kickstart their venture.
Armed with a three-wheeler to facilitate deliveries, Devi’s dream became a reality on 2 February 2023, when she launched her business of supplying filtered water. As the AEDP training had equipped her with the necessary business skills, she could cater to their growing customer base easily.
Her dedication and hard work paid off as she secured nearly 100 regular customers, with the demand steadily increasing. After successfully running her business for one year, she purchased a three-wheeler with a down payment of Rs 1.5 lakh and a bank loan of Rs 3 lakh. Expanding their operations, she hired two youths on a commission basis to extend their reach to offices and more houses.
During the scorching summer months, their business flourished, as they supplied 100–150 cans of water daily, getting a profit of nearly Rs 40,000. This success brought joy not only to Devi and her husband but to their entire family, who witnessed the transformation of their fortunes.
Reflecting on their journey, Devi said that the support and guidance from the Youth Hub team bolstered her confidence every step of the way when she started her business.
She has now set her sights on obtaining a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, so that she can supply packaged drinking water in bottles, thus expanding their enterprise further.
Her story is a testament to the power of determination, entrepreneurship and community support. Through perseverance and strategic planning, she turned her aspirations into a thriving business, uplifting not only her own family but contributing to the economic growth of her community.
As she continues to chart her path toward growing her business and success, Radhika Devi serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.
The lead image on top shows Radhika Devi , who saw a business opportunity in supplying filtered water to residences and commercial establishments in her area. (Photo by Saud Alam, Manager, Gola Youth Hub)
Kaushik Samanto is with Transform Rural India, Jharkhand, specialising in innovative business prototypes and SHG-based enterprises. He is also a trainer certified by the International Labour Organization, dedicated to guiding aspirational youths towards enterprise development and economic growth.
