Building a Chicken Empire

Women

November 15, 2022

Building a Chicken Empire

“After my divorce, I moved back home. With a house of 12 people, I was teased for contributing nothing to the household.

I joined an SHG and there I learnt about chick rearing. With nothing in my hand, I took a loan of Rs. 20,000 and kickstarted my own business. I bought 350 chicks in 2011, but the birds got the ‘flu’ and 150 chicks died in that first year. It was a huge blow. Already in debt, I had to keep going.

I bought another 500 chicks and this time sought some expert advice on how to raise them the scientific way. 9 years on, I have diversified into different breeds of chicken, built a shed with a capacity for 30,000 chickens and earn 17,000Rs per month, which I use to invest in my niece’s education. Look who’s laughing now?” - Shafali Khatun, Kendua Village, Murshidabad, West Bengal

Tags: Women Enabling People, UNSTOPPABLE

November 15, 2022

Women Hold Up Half The Sky

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India is home to the fourth-largest agricultural sector in the world and a crucial part of the country’s economy. As agranian labour, women’s participation has always been significant, with estimates ranging from 63% to 80%.
When You Educate a Woman…

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In rural India, where traditional roles and limited opportunities often define the lives of women, education holds the potential to open doors that extend far beyond the school fence. It is not just about learning to read or write—it’s about building knowledge, skills, and confidence that enable women to make informed decisions, support their families, and participate actively in their communities.
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A movement is underway across India, to empower women to become ‘lakhpati didis!’ Ambuja Foundation is playing its part – encouraging rural women to strive for a Rs. 1 lakh income and fostering micro enterprises along the way.
Breaking Royal Barriers

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In a district of Saurashtra, Gujarat, select villagers are of a princely lineage – being direct descendants of small-scale princely states that once ruled the lands. Here, women are considered so ‘royal’ that they are confined to the four walls of their house compound to prevent them from ‘mixing with commoners’ – their faces never seen by others, forbidden to travel and unless a person is of a particular caste, they can never enter their homes.
Scaling the Ladder: Exploring the Growth Potential for Women-Led Nano Enterprises

May 27, 2024

In India, women-led nano enterprises are quietly reshaping the business landscape. Despite facing challenges like limited resources and navigating a dynamic market, these ventures, primarily run from homes, are thriving, with the majority operating outside the traditional brick-and-mortar model. Efforts to promote self-employment among women, particularly through home-based businesses, have intensified, with government and private initiatives offering schemes for credit, training, and incubation programs tailored to women, leading to an increase in nano enterprises.