From Village Fields to ₹3 Lakh Annual Income: Etawah’s Mantravati Shakya Sets an Example with Strawberry, Dragon Fruit and Ragi Farming

Single Investment in Dragon Fruit Ensures Earnings for 20 Years

Special Rural Development Planning by CM Yogi: Women Being Linked to Self-Help Groups Through Dedicated Drives

Providing Modern Farming Training to Over 50 Women from Different Blocks of the District

Mantravati to Be a Special Guest at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi

Lucknow, January 2026 : With sound policies, strong determination and a modern outlook, a rural woman from Etawah has set an inspiring example. Mantravati Shakya, who once struggled with limited resources and financial hardship, is today earning around ₹3 lakh annually by cultivating strawberries, dragon fruit and ragi while living in her village. This success story comes from Bhatora village, located about nine kilometres from the Etawah district headquarters.

Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s special rural development planning, women across the state are being connected to self-help groups (SHGs) through focused campaigns. Along with this, women are being provided training in modern and income-generating farming techniques to enhance their livelihoods.

Skill and Hard Work Overcome Every Challenge

Associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Mantravati moved beyond traditional farming and adopted profitable, market-oriented agriculture. Educated only up to Class 8, she proved that skill and hard work can overcome all obstacles. Even during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, she laid a strong foundation for her future.

Today, she cultivates strawberries on one bigha of land, with the crop ready between October and March. She also grows dragon fruit on three bighas, which starts yielding within six months, and practices ragi (finger millet) farming, a nutritious coarse grain that matures in five to six months. These crops together provide her with a stable and sustainable income.

Guiding Other Women Towards Self-Reliance

Mantravati is not only transforming her own life but is also empowering other women. She has trained more than 50 women from different blocks of the district in modern farming methods. She explains that work can be started by forming self-help groups of 12 to 15 women. For this, Group Sakhis are posted at the block-level NRLM offices to provide support. They guide women at every step, from opening bank accounts to availing benefits of government schemes. Only an Aadhaar card, bank passbook and photograph are required.

Rural Women Can Become Successful Entrepreneurs

In recognition of her achievements, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has honoured Mantravati twice. It is now a moment of pride for her that she will participate as a special guest representing the state at the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

Mantravati Shakya’s journey proves that with the right guidance, patience and opportunities, rural women can also become successful entrepreneurs. With the support of government schemes, she has emerged not only as the backbone of her family but also as a symbol of hope, confidence and self-reliant Uttar Pradesh for countless rural women.

Over One Crore Women to Become “Lakhpati Didis”: Joint Mission Director

Janmejay Shukla, Joint Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, said that at present, 30 lakh women from self-help groups in the agriculture and non-agriculture sectors are being made “Lakhpati Didis”, a number that will be expanded to over one crore rural women in the coming years.

Special focus is being given to women who become self-reliant themselves and also help other women stand on their own feet. Acting on CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision, this mission-driven campaign is connecting more women to SHGs. Along with technical support, expert training is being provided to increase incomes, covering everything from product preparation to packaging.