Modern Farming & Hard Work Make Ketki Bai a ‘Lakhpati Didi’

Raipur : Through modern agricultural practices and relentless hard work, Mrs. Ketki Bai Patel from Chhattisgarh has earned the title of “Lakhpati Didi.” A resident of Aamti village in Durg Janpad Panchayat and president of the Pragati Women’s Self-Help Group, Ketki Bai has achieved economic prosperity through vegetable cultivation and sales, driven by her determination and the support of the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission, “BIHAN.”

Initially, Ketki Bai struggled due to lack of resources and could not pursue large-scale vegetable farming despite her interest. Upon learning about the BIHAN scheme, she proactively formed a self-help group with other women, strengthening the group through small savings. She then took a loan of ₹30,000 through bank linkage and began vegetable cultivation. Additionally, she received ₹20,000 from the scheme’s Community Investment Fund to further expand her enterprise.

Starting with one acre of personal land, she gradually adopted modern techniques such as the machan method, improving both the quality and quantity of her produce. Today, she cultivates seasonal vegetables like okra, long beans, bitter gourd, maize, brinjal, and leafy greens. She sells her produce four days a week—two days at Nikum market and two days at Aalbaras market—earning approximately ₹3,500 per day. This translates to around ₹14,000 per week and a monthly income of about ₹32,000, with an annual income of nearly ₹3.5 lakhs.

With her rising income, Ketki Bai built a concrete house, purchased a power tiller machine, and acquired an additional five acres of land where she now cultivates paddy. Through sheer effort and perseverance, she has become an outstanding example of rural self-reliance and now enjoys recognition as a successful “Lakhpati Didi,” creating a unique identity through her vegetable farming.