The Red Glow of Tomatoes Transformed a Life: A Journey that Began with a ₹50,000 LoanMangli Didi Becomes an Inspiration for Women

Raipur, Sept 2025 : The Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan and Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Bihan) have infused new energy into the lives of rural women. Mangli Didi, from the small village of Angwahi in Sonhat development block of Korea district, has written a new story of economic self-reliance by taking advantage of this scheme through tomato cultivation. Beginning her entrepreneurial journey with just a ₹50,000 loan, Mangli Didi has now become a source of inspiration for other women.

The mission of the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission is to sustainably improve livelihoods through self-help groups and reduce poverty. It provides rural poor families with access to financial services, skill development, and self-employment opportunities, enabling them to become self-reliant. After joining Bihan, Mangli Didi took a loan of ₹50,000 through her self-help group and started tomato farming. Using organic fertilizers and modern techniques, she has so far produced 200 crates of tomatoes, earning nearly ₹80,000. She shared that in the coming days, production is expected to double, potentially raising her income to over ₹1.80 lakh. In this way, the red glow of tomatoes has started changing Mangli Didi’s fortune.

According to Mangli Didi, grafted plants and organic fertilizers have greatly improved the quality of her tomatoes, ensuring a good price in local markets. This is why she has now become an inspiration for other women in her village and a strong example of the “Lakhpati Didi” campaign. Her next goal is to cultivate other vegetables and involve as many women as possible in this work so that all women in the village can become self-reliant.