23-yr-old woman farmer breaks gender barrier, inspire communities

Time of India

11-05-2025

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Ranchi: In Bero village, located on the Ranchi outskirts, 23-year-old
Yamuna Kumari
is leading a quiet revolution in farming. A postgraduate in geography from the Karamchand Bhagat College, Yamuna balances motherhood, education and a thriving agricultural career, all while breaking gender barriers and advocating for science-based farming practices.On the International Day of Plant Health being observed on May 12, Yamuna stands as a symbol of resilience, leadership and the transformative power of
agro-scientific knowledge
, proving that when empowered with education and tools, smallholder farmers can change their futures and inspire entire communities.Raised in an agricultural family, Yamuna has always been a part of farming throughout her life, and she worked alongside her parents from childhood.
Despite their hard work, the traditional methods yielded little. Their five-acre land, growing mostly paddy, wheat and vegetables, could barely support them.
"We used to rely on monsoons, local seeds and traditional techniques. It was a struggle every season," she recalled.Everything changed in 2021 when Yamuna joined the
Millionaire Farmer Development Programme
(MFDP) run by
Transform Rural India
(TRI). Her potential was quickly recognised, and TRI helped establish a Farmer Field School (FFS) in her area. Equipped with modern tools and technologies for drip irrigation, polyhouses and trellis systems, Yamuna and other local farmers received hands-on training during the programme.Applying this newfound knowledge, Yamuna shifted to round-the-year,
high-value farming
.
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Today, she has been able to produce a diverse range of crops, including mangoes, wheat, French beans, potatoes, grafted brinjal, strawberries, marigold, green peas, cauliflower, ginger and green chilli. She followed soil-based fertilisation, organic composting, crop rotation, and integrated pest management to improve both yield and plant health."With the training and support, I understood what it means to do the right farming at the right time.
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My crops are healthier, longer-lasting, and bring better returns," Yamuna said. She, however, suffered a setback in March when a hailstorm destroyed her French beans worth around Rs 2 lakh. Yet, she remained motivated. "Challenges will come, but scientific farming helps us recover faster and reduce risks in future," she said.Her annual income now ranges between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 11 lakh, with expenses from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. She is currently employing 10 workers and actively mentors other women in her village, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices. She even bought a scooter to travel to markets and training sessions, symbolising her independence.Looking ahead, Yamuna is planning to start her own nursery, focusing on disease-free seedlings and horticultural innovation. Her message to smallholder farmers is clear: "Don't just rely on traditional crops. Add horticulture to your practice. It's scientific and smart farming."She added, "Farming is not just about working the land, it's about understanding it. When we farm with knowledge, we grow prosperity."
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