Ruchika Lila
Homemaker to a Successful Millet-Entrepreneur
Rameshwar Nagar, Kudi Housing Board, District- Jodhpur, State- Rajasthan.
INTRODUCTION :
Mrs. Ruchika Lila is a 42-year-old dynamic and progressive homemaker from Jodhpur. With a strong desire to create her own identity and contribute to society, she connected with Laghu Udyog Bharti. Her ambition led her to transform her passion for healthy food into a professional business, aiming to provide nutritious alternatives to traditional snacks.
TRAINING :
She enrolled in a 30-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) organized by the Agri Business Incubation Centre (ABIC), ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur. During this training, she received specialized information about the processing of Bajra (Pearl Millet) and the techniques of value addition. This technical guidance empowered her to start her own venture, “Thar Delight,” focusing on handcrafted, preservative-free millet products.
ACHIEVEMENTS :
In just six months, she developed five unique flavors of Bajra-based biscuits: Til, Jeera, Ajwain, Coconut, and Chocolate. She successfully produced and sold 600 kg of products across local and metro markets. Her venture earned a gross revenue of ₹3,60,000, resulting in a net profit of ₹1,20,000. She now maintains a daily production capacity of 10 kg from her home unit, maintaining high quality and hygiene standards.
IMPORTANCE FOR FARMERS :
Economic Growth: Mrs. Ruchika encourages farmers to move beyond selling raw grains. She advocates for value addition, demonstrating how processing Bajra into biscuits can significantly enhance their household income. Health and Nutrition: She promotes millets as “Superfoods,” highlighting that they are rich in protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals. These products help in managing diabetes, supporting heart health, and reducing inflammation, benefiting both farming families and urban consumers. Sustainable Agriculture: By creating a market for Bajra, she supports the cultivation of climate-resilient crops that require less water and fewer chemical fertilizers, protecting the local environment and soil health.
RECOGNITION :
Her success as a woman entrepreneur was recognized when she was invited to deliver a Radio Talk on “Millet-Based Value-Added Products” at All India Radio Station, Jodhpur. She has become an inspiration for many self-help groups and women in her region, proving that with the right training, a homemaker can become a successful entrepreneur.
