In the heart of Khalsipur Bhatauli, Ambedkar Nagar, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It begins with a woman named Vijaylakshmi, whose grit, resilience and unwavering spirit have transformed her life—and the lives of hundreds around her.

Before joining “Jan Shikshan Women Farmer Producer Company”, Vijaylakshmi’s family depended solely on rice and wheat cultivation. The income was meagre, cash was scarce and illness often meant borrowing or pawning valuables. Her husband battled alcoholism, her daughter-in-law required ongoing medical care and the burden of the household weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Vijaylakshmi saw a path forward.

Sowing the Seeds of Learning

With support from ChildFund India and guidance from a community mobiliser, Vijaylakshmi enrolled in technical agricultural training under the European Union supported programme. She learnt seed treatment, eco-friendly pesticides and modern farming techniques. With a mobile phone provided by the company, she began accessing apps and weather updates, empowering her decisions in the field.

Determined to put her learning to work, Vijaylakshmi travelled over 85 km to purchase high-quality onion seeds. She prepared an 8 biswa nursery (nearly 10,000 sq ft) alone. The return: ₹30,000. From onions to brinjal and tomatoes, to trellis-grown gourds, she cultivated her crops with precision and care. Today, she walks confidently to the mandi to sell her vegetables, earning both profit and respect.

Her family’s financial outlook has improved. Her husband now joins her in the field. And for the first time, Vijaylakshmi feels joy—a kind she once thought impossible.

Leading Beyond the Farm

No longer simply known as Ramdhari’s wife or Santosh’s mother, she is Vijaylakshmi—a name recognized by over 1,700 women farmers across 17 panchayats. As a board director, she dreams of expanding access to technical training and delivering group produce by pickup truck to major markets next year.

Her leadership is not confined only to agriculture. When a young widow named Sharmila was denied her rightful share of land, Vijaylakshmi rallied the village, intervened through a community-led panchayat and ensured that justice prevailed, securing Sharmila’s land and dignity.