“She is a warrior capable of slaying the demons in life. She is a pioneer capable of choosing her own
path. She is a trail blazer capable of achieving new horizons. Just give her some time and see her
bedazzle the world.”
― Avijeet Das

She is the doer. She is Mrs. Daku Bai Meghwal, a resident of Bhainsadakal village in Udaipur district
of Rajasthan. The above quote holds true for Mrs. Daku Bai. Wife of Mr Bhana Ramji and a mother of
four kids, she is somebody who understands the importance of integrated farming and practices it.

Manjari Foundation in collaboration with Hanuman Van Vikas Samiti has been operational since 2017
in Debari. Daku bai joined Bheru Ji Bawji self help group promoted under Sakhi Program in February
2017. The group consisting of 15 women holds meeting twice a month with a regular saving
contribution of INR 50 per woman per meeting. After joining the SHG, the motivation and guidance
which she derived from several meetings and training sessions made her mindset and she started
thinking in this direction. They had a landholding in which they were already involved in floriculture
operations. But this was not everything. They couldn’t rely on the same for the whole year as income
from floriculture is limited. They understood the fact that there is a good potential in poultry business,
and they initiated the same. The family invested INR 10 lacs to start the business. They had a saving of
INR 10 lacs which they used in the business. Also, Daku bai took a loan of INR 50 thousand from the
SHG and invested the same in the business. The family started the business in 2018 with an initial count
of 1600 chicks. They bought the same from Nasirabad. Also, they got the premises constructed in the
way which is required for the poultry farm business. After feeding 1600 birds with the poultry diet for
a time span of 90 days(approx.), they sold the broilers and eggs to Ranawat poultry farm, Udaipur and
Mandi in Savina, Udaipur. It resulted into a good cash inflow rendering them the ability to procure
another lot of chicks. They procured 1600 chicks again. The idea of poultry farm which Daku Bai
Meghwal derived after joining the Samuh led her doing this business which augmented the family
income by minimum twenty thousand per month. This is not everything. Her family is also involved in
dairy farming. Dairy is also a source of income for the family. But it’s a part of everything they do;
integrated farming. Floriculture, Dairy farming, Poultry farming are the different aspects which are
supporting the whole family of Daku Bai. Daku bai has plan to expand the business in future and she
has also applied for a loan of INR 50 thousand from the federation which is under process.

Today Daku bai is a person who is admired and recognised in the whole village. She not only motivates
women of her SHG but also guide other women in the village to start something which can add value
in their lives.

Daku bai is painting a better picture of Rural Life. Isn’t she??