The Chhattisgarh government’s ambitious Godhan Nyay Yojana has created numerous employment opportunities for women in rural areas, enabling the rural population to strive towards economic prosperity.

The Bhupesh Baghel government started the scheme on July 20, 2020, to benefit the farmers and animal herders of the state and provided a new means of livelihood for rural women at the local level.

Engaging in income-generating activities including the sale of cow dung, and the production of vermicompost and super compost, a significant number of women have achieved financial independence through their association with Gauthans (cattle sheds).

These women are now able to support their families and contribute to their family’s finances as well.

Women groups are now earning lakhs selling vermicompost under the scheme. Vermicompost is the product of the decomposition process in which earthworms are used to convert organic materials into humus-like materials which are used in organic farming. Its nutrient profile, according to research, is higher than traditional compost.

In the Tharakpur gram panchayat, located in the Masturi development block of Bilaspur district, the women belonging to Maa Gayatri Self-Help Group have started vermicompost, super compost, and earthworm production at Gauthans.

This endeavour has yielded substantial income for them, serving as a prime example of self-reliance and economic empowerment.

“Vermicompost serves as an excellent choice for farmers transitioning towards organic farming. To date, we have successfully sold 753 quintals of vermicompost and 370 quintals of super compost, resulting in a profit of nearly Rs 2.5 lakh,” said Maa Gayatri Self Help Group’s president Vibhuti Kaushik.

“I completed my home repair works with my share of the profit earned from the sale of vermicompost and super compost. Other women are also utilising their earnings to fulfil their children’s educational and other essential needs.

“These women have expressed their gratitude to the state government for implementing this ambitious scheme,” added Vibhuti.

Latel Puri Goswami, a cattle rearer in the same panchayat as Kaushik, stated that he had sold cow dung worth Rs 10,000 in the Gauthan while Ramkumar Patel, a rural resident, expressed his joy and mentioned that he has already sold cow dung worth Rs 35,000 so far.