Women’s Self-Help Group’s Hard Work Pays Off; Increased Income Through Fish Farming and Water Chestnut Cultivation

Raipur, Nov 2025 : Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Chhattisgarh are doing remarkable work toward economic empowerment. With the support of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (Bihan), the women of the Godwana Mahila Self-Help Group from Kotmikala village, Janpad Panchayat Pendra, in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, have developed a strong source of income through fish farming and water chestnut (singhada) cultivation, moving steadily toward becoming “Lakhpati Didis” (women earning over one lakh rupees annually).

Last year, as a livelihood activity, the group took a village pond on lease from the Gram Panchayat for an annual fee of ₹5,000. Using fish seeds costing only ₹2,000, the women earned more than ₹18,000 from fish sales in a single season. Encouraged by this success, they then began cultivating water chestnuts in the same pond, which has significantly increased their income.

So far, the women have sold water chestnuts worth ₹15,000 to ₹20,000, and an additional stock valued at around ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 is currently ready for harvest and is being sold continuously. Group member Mrs. Chameli Bai shared that the women also make incense sticks during their free time, supplying them to local markets and shops to earn extra income.

The Livelihood Service Center set up under Bihan in Kotmikala village continues to provide consistent support and guidance to the group’s women for agriculture, animal husbandry, and other income-enhancing activities. Through hard work, collective effort, and mission support, these women are writing a new chapter of economic self-reliance.