Access to information and services can empower women toward self-reliance

Amaravati Toika, a 55-year-old woman farmer from Dumburi village of Nilamguda G.P spent most of her life dependent on traditional cotton cultivation. With one acre of land, her family earned nearly ₹20,000 annually, which was insufficient to meet household needs. Despite years of hard work, rising input costs, climate risks, and limited access to information kept her trapped in low-income farming.

The turning point came when she became a member of the Maa Brundabati Producer Group, formed under the Agri Production Cluster (APC) Project. Through village-level meetings, training sessions, and exposure to government schemes facilitated by CYSD, she learned about crop diversification and improved agricultural practices. 

With technical guidance and a horticulture department subsidy, she adopted potato farming on 0.2 hectares of land. She received 2.5 quintals of quality potato seed at a subsidized rate and applied improved methods such as proper land preparation, spacing, irrigation, and pest management. Within three months, the field produced 700 kg of potatoes. This resulted in a net profit of ₹9,300, earned in a single season, within a small portion of land. This achievement strengthened her confidence and economic position within her household.

Today, Amaravati Toika is recognized as a progressive woman farmer and inspires other women to adopt improved practices and join producer groups. Her journey highlights how access to information, collective support, and government linkages can transform rural livelihoods and empower women toward self-reliance and sustainable growth.