From village fields to national stage: Etawah woman earns Rs 3 lakh a year through modern farming

With strong willpower, smart planning and modern farming methods, a rural woman from Uttar Pradesh has created a remarkable success story. Mantravati Shakya, a resident of Bhatora village in Etawah district, now earns around Rs 3 lakh every year by cultivating strawberries, dragon fruit and ragi while continuing to live in her village. Bhatora village is located about 9 km from the Etawah district headquarters.

Mantravati, who studied till Class 8, once faced serious financial challenges and limited resources. Things changed when she joined the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Moving beyond traditional farming, she adopted profitable and market-driven crops. During the COVID-19 period, she laid the foundation for her future through modern agricultural practices.

• Strawberries: Grown on one bigha of land, harvested from October to March
• Dragon fruit: Cultivated on three bighas, harvest starts within six months and continues for years
• Ragi (millet): Ready within five to six months

These crops provide her with a stable and sustainable income throughout the year.

According to Mantravati, dragon fruit farming requires a one-time investment and can generate income for up to 20 years. This makes it a highly profitable option for rural farmers looking for long-term earnings.

Mantravati is now helping others build similar livelihoods. She has trained more than 50 women from different blocks of Etawah district in modern farming techniques. She explains that women can start by forming self-help groups of 12 to 15 members. Group Sakhis posted at block-level NRLM offices guide women through every step—from opening bank accounts to accessing government schemes. Only Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks and photographs are required.

Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's rural development planning, women across Uttar Pradesh are being connected to self-help groups through special operations. Along with financial support, they are receiving training in modern farming, technical assistance and expert guidance, including product preparation and packaging.

Recognising her achievements, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has honoured Mantravati Shakya twice. Now, she will attend the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, as a special guest representing Uttar Pradesh-a proud moment for her village and district.

Janmejay Shukla, Joint Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, said that 30 lakh women from self-help groups are currently being made Lakhpati Didis. The government aims to expand this number to one crore rural women in the coming years. Women who become self-reliant are encouraged to help others in their communities achieve financial independence as well.

Mantravati Shakya's journey proves that with the right guidance, patience and opportunity, rural women can become successful entrepreneurs. Today, she stands not only as a support system for her family but also as a symbol of hope, confidence and a self-reliant Uttar Pradesh.