In the heartlands of rural Maharashtra and Bihar, the winds of change are blowing, driven by the indomitable spirit of women entrepreneurs, known as ‘swayam sakhis’. Their stories of resilience and transformation are taking center stage in the success saga of the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP), a flagship energy program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
USAID through its SAREP program aims to promote access to clean, sustainable, and reliable energy for all by boosting regional energy markets, fostering clean energy, and stimulating investments while parallelly mainstreaming gender in the energy sector. Underpinning this, the SAREP Partnership Fund (SPF), a grant instrument under SAREP, accelerates the shift towards clean energy by merging innovation, inclusivity, and gender equality.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is a core theme under USAID’s SAREP program, which weaves this focus into the fabric of all the grantee initiatives. In alignment with this mandate, all grantees are encouraged to integrate GESI principles into their projects’ scopes.
A shining example of this GESI integration is Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP). SSP has demonstrated remarkable success in incorporating gender equality and social inclusion principles, working extensively with rural women in Maharashtra and Bihar.
In the quaint village of Aurad, nestled in the heart of South Solapur District, a remarkable transformation is underway, spearheaded by the determined spirit of Rajshri Prakash Doranhali, 34, a graduate and now a grassroots leader. Engaged under SSP’s micro-entrepreneurship model, she embarked on a journey that not only altered her economic standing but also redefined her role within the household and the community.
Rajshri’s journey began with a beauty parlor in the village, a venture born out of her passion. However, economic uncertainties compelled her to diversify, and she found herself managing a grocery shop. It was during these challenging times that she discovered Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) in 2016, an organization that would later become the catalyst for her extraordinary story.
After a hiatus due to pregnancy and COVID-19 pandemic, Rajshri rejoined SSP, this time as a leader. Her journey with SSP unfolded through various social approach projects, each aimed at uplifting the community. Last year, she embraced a new role as a swayam sakhi, taking on the challenge of marketing and scaling adoption of biodigesters and subjee coolers.
Initially disheartened by the lack of response from farmers, Rajshri’s tenacity and training kicked in. Utilizing modern communication tools such as YouTube and Facebook, Rajshri showcased the advantages of biogas in terms of cash savings, health benefits, environmental impact, and organic farming
Her persistence paid o when, in a single day, Rajshri successfully assisted in the installation of 12 biogas plants. The financial implications were profound, turning what used to be a month’s earnings into a day’s accomplishment. The health of both the people and the farms improved, and organic farming gained momentum.
Undeterred, Rajshri set an ambitious target of 50 biogas installations per month. As per latest data, she has booked 206 biogas installations, and her determination remains unwavering. Her story is a testament to the power of community engagement, education, and the impact one individual can have on the well-being of an entire village.
The heart of SSP’s model lies in upskilling women like Rajshri turning them into micro-entrepreneurs. Trained in the use and promotion of clean energy solutions such as biodigesters and subjee coolers, over 500 women entrepreneurs have joined in this ground-breaking initiative. The adoption of these technologies has proved instrumental in cutting down cultivation expenses for small-scale farmers.
Through this grant from USAID, SSP has completed over thirteen trainings till date encompassing subjee cooler and biodigesters. Regular product trainings imparted to the swayam sakhis, has built their capacity to market and sell these products to farmers and rural communities and educate villagers on the benefits of using clean energy solutions.
I can now save Rs. 1800 per month, which was earlier used for buying LPG. The 3000-litre bio slurry generated by the biodigesters can be used as a non-chemical pesticide for 2.0 acre for livestock feed and gain savings worth Rs. 3000/- which was earlier spent on pesticides.
The success of SSP in successfully mobilising these products was on display in the household of Mrs. Sarika Dayanand Gund, where both the clean energy products (subjee coolers and biodigesters) have been installed. The products are used by this family of 6 members, and they have now emerged as a model household which is also frequented by neighbours who want to learn more about these clean energy products. The household has been using the products since 2022 and felt that it has made quite a positive impact in their overall health and well-being.
“My family is very happy with the tasty food I cook everyday using the biogas generated in our backyard”
Mrs. Sarika Dayanand Gund, Swayam Sakhi
As we envision the future, Rajshri and her fellow entrepreneurs demonstrate that inclusive development is transformative. Collaborations like these are poised to drive global change, one community at a time, underscoring the potency of united e orts in achieving sustainable, inclusive growth.
As we cast our gaze into the future, the inspiring narrative of Rajshri and her fellow entrepreneurs thus become more than a local success story. The tale of Rajshri’s evolution from a beauty parlor entrepreneur to a social change leader symbolizes a paradigm shift in development strategies. Inclusive development, as demonstrated by the SSP model, is not just about economic empowerment; it is a holistic approach that reshapes gender dynamics, builds confidence, and fosters community ownership. It serves as a testament to the belief that true progress is achieved when every individual, regardless of gender or background, is an active participant in their community’s growth.
Acknowledgements:
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the Swayam Sakhis at Swayam Shikshan Prayog who generously shared their insights for this blog.
Special thanks to Monali Zeya-Hazra, Regional Clean Energy Specialist at USAID/India, for her invaluable guidance in crafting this piece.
Authored by Nidhi Prabha, GESI Advisor at USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP), this blog was significantly enhanced by the support of the Communications team comprising of Farah Ahmed, Cross-Cutting Lead; Nandita Deka, Content Editor; and Bhumika Suri, Manager – Training and Events of the SAREP program.
