Sowing change: How collective farming empowered Rajasthan's rural women

By Vikas Meshram* 

Chikli Badra village in Banswara district of Rajasthan is marked by sloping land, unreliable rainfall, and deeply rooted traditions that long resisted change. Women here worked in the fields, but their voices rarely carried beyond them. They had no place at the decision-making table. 

Yet four women from this village—Kalpana Pargi, Santosh Pargi, Manjula Pargi, and Lalidevi Pargi—together authored a story that has inspired not only their families but women across the region. On just two bighas of land, they cultivated American maize through community farming and earned nearly one lakh rupees. This is not merely a story of income; it marks the beginning of a new way of thinking.

The lives of women in Chikli Badra followed a fixed rhythm: heading to the fields at sunrise, working through the day, and returning home to shoulder household responsibilities. The labour was theirs, but decisions—what to sow, where to source seeds, where to sell produce, and how to use the income—remained firmly in the hands of men.

Kalpana Pargi recalls, “We worked in the fields all day, but farming decisions were made by the men. Income was low and expenses were high. Sometimes we had to take loans. That’s when we felt something new had to be done.” Sloping land posed additional challenges. Soil erosion, poor water retention, and unstable yields made farming uncertain. In rain-dependent agriculture, a single failed season could disrupt the entire year. When rains were scarce, crops withered; when excessive, water simply ran off. Families remained economically vulnerable, caught in this cycle. Santosh Pargi describes the hardship: “If the rains fell short, the crop would fail. Many times we had to do wage labour. Running the household became very difficult.”

Every significant change begins with a small step. Lalita Makwana, a community facilitator from Vaagdhara, visited Chikli Badra, listened to the women, and encouraged them to organise. Community meetings followed, where women learned about government schemes, application processes, group management, and alternative livelihood options. They were connected to the Saksham Group.

It was in these meetings that the idea of community farming emerged—an unfamiliar concept for them. Traditionally, each family farmed its own small plot, bearing high risks with limited resources. Community farming offered a different model: working collectively on a single plot, sharing costs, labour, and profits equally.

Around this time, the idea of cultivating American maize was introduced. Compared to traditional varieties, it offered higher yields, strong market demand, and easier access to buyers. The four women deliberated carefully. The risks were real—a new crop, unfamiliar techniques, and scepticism from family members. But collective courage outweighed individual fear.

Turning the decision into action brought its own challenges. Families were initially hesitant, fearing potential losses. Lalidevi Pargi recalls, “People at home said there is risk in new farming. But we explained, and gradually the family came around.”

Resource constraints were another hurdle. Seeds, irrigation, and field preparation required money and planning. The women addressed this through collective effort—pooling resources reduced costs, and shared labour eased the workload. However, they lacked technical knowledge of cultivating American maize. Here, Vaagdhara played a crucial role by providing hands-on training on sowing techniques, organic fertilisers, water management, and pest control. This training not only built their skills but also strengthened their confidence.

The four women jointly prepared a two-bigha field. From tilling the soil to sowing seeds, every task was carried out together. No one stood alone—neither in labour nor responsibility. Day after day, they nurtured the crop, and gradually, the American maize flourished.

When the harvest was ready, they connected with traders from Udaipur and Banswara, sold their produce, and earned nearly one lakh rupees. For them, this was more than a financial gain—it was proof of their capability.

The income supported children’s education, met household needs, and offered relief from debt. But perhaps more importantly, it brought recognition. These women were no longer seen merely as labourers; they began to be acknowledged as farmers—a recognition they earned themselves.

Success reshaped not only their economic condition but also their sense of self. They now speak with confidence, participate in decision-making, and guide others. Kalpana, Santosh, Manjula, and Lalidevi have taken on new roles in the village, sharing their experiences and encouraging other women to adopt community farming.

Two bighas of land, four women, and one lakh rupees—these numbers may seem modest, but they represent resilience, courage, and collective strength. Even on sloping land, prosperity can take root. What is needed is determination. The women of Chikli Badra have demonstrated this powerfully. Their journey is not an end, but the beginning of a larger transformation.

---

*Independent journalist