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Time of India

23-yr-old woman farmer breaks gender barrier, inspire communities

1 2 Ranchi: In Bero village, located on the Ranchi outskirts, 23-year-old Yamuna Kumari is leading a quiet revolution in farming. A postgraduate in geography from the Karamchand Bhagat College, Yamuna balances motherhood, education and a thriving agricultural career, all while breaking gender barriers and advocating for science-based farming the International Day of Plant Health being observed on May 12, Yamuna stands as a symbol of resilience, leadership and the transformative power of agro-scientific knowledge , proving that when empowered with education and tools, smallholder farmers can change their futures and inspire entire in an agricultural family, Yamuna has always been a part of farming throughout her life, and she worked alongside her parents from childhood. Despite their hard work, the traditional methods yielded little. Their five-acre land, growing mostly paddy, wheat and vegetables, could barely support them. "We used to rely on monsoons, local seeds and traditional techniques. It was a struggle every season," she changed in 2021 when Yamuna joined the Millionaire Farmer Development Programme (MFDP) run by Transform Rural India (TRI). Her potential was quickly recognised, and TRI helped establish a Farmer Field School (FFS) in her area. Equipped with modern tools and technologies for drip irrigation, polyhouses and trellis systems, Yamuna and other local farmers received hands-on training during the this newfound knowledge, Yamuna shifted to round-the-year, high-value farming . Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor Today, she has been able to produce a diverse range of crops, including mangoes, wheat, French beans, potatoes, grafted brinjal, strawberries, marigold, green peas, cauliflower, ginger and green chilli. She followed soil-based fertilisation, organic composting, crop rotation, and integrated pest management to improve both yield and plant health."With the training and support, I understood what it means to do the right farming at the right time. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo My crops are healthier, longer-lasting, and bring better returns," Yamuna said. She, however, suffered a setback in March when a hailstorm destroyed her French beans worth around Rs 2 lakh. Yet, she remained motivated. "Challenges will come, but scientific farming helps us recover faster and reduce risks in future," she annual income now ranges between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 11 lakh, with expenses from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. She is currently employing 10 workers and actively mentors other women in her village, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices. She even bought a scooter to travel to markets and training sessions, symbolising her ahead, Yamuna is planning to start her own nursery, focusing on disease-free seedlings and horticultural innovation. Her message to smallholder farmers is clear: "Don't just rely on traditional crops. Add horticulture to your practice. It's scientific and smart farming."She added, "Farming is not just about working the land, it's about understanding it. When we farm with knowledge, we grow prosperity." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !