From siddu to success: Village woman’s recipe for rural empowerment

In a shining example of how government initiatives are transforming lives in the rural areas, Raksha Devi, a resident of Bairi village in Balh Valley of Mandi district, has scripted an inspiring success story in food processing through her association with a self-help group (SHG). Once an ordinary homemaker, Raksha Devi is now earning over Rs 1 lakh per month and providing employment to other women, while contributing meaningfully to the vision of Atmanirbhar Himachal.

Encouraged by the Himachal Pradesh Government’s welfare programmes and supported by the Sheetla Self-Help Group, Raksha Devi discovered her entrepreneurial spirit. She underwent training in food processing at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Sundernagar, where she learned to prepare a range of millet-based products such as multigrain kachoris, siddu, kodra tea and traditional sweets. Her journey took a significant leap forward with the implementation of the Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project (funded by JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency) in her village.

Today, Raksha Devi serves as the president of the Krishi Vigyan Mandal (KVM) and leads production of healthy, chemical-free food items including multigrain flour, kodra, barley, local rice varieties, flaxseed, traditional syrup (sira) and hand-crafted items. Her products are in high demand and are sold both on order and at their retail outlet in Sundernagar.

Thanks to the support of the Block Project Management Unit (BPMU) under the JICA project, Raksha Devi and her group were granted a retail outlet near the SDM Office in Sundernagar. This outlet showcases and sells SHG-produced items including laddus, panjiri, pickles, chutneys, squashes, ghee, honey and a variety of millets and flours. The group has also partnered with around 15 other SHGs from across the state to expand product offerings.

Since September 2024, the group has diversified into cooked food offerings such as millet-based siddu, tea and kachoris. Responding to high customer demand, the group now prepares traditional dishes like sarson ka saag with makki ki roti and rajma-chawal every Monday and Thursday. These dishes have become highly popular among local court staff, hospital workers, agricultural project employees and police personnel. People consistently praise the quality and health benefits of the food, helping the outlet build a loyal customer base.

Raksha Devi expressed her gratitude to the Himachal Pradesh Government, emphasising how the retail outlet had become a reliable source of income for her and three other women working there. Additionally, many women from the nearby villages have found work by producing items from home, making the initiative a wider vehicle of the rural employment.

This success story is a testament to how state-backed programmes, skill development and women’s collective effort can lead to economic independence and empowerment. Raksha Devi is not just building a business — she is helping build Atmanirbhar Himachal.

Himachal Tribune