In the quiet villages of Bihar, where agriculture is both heritage and hardship, one woman’s determination transformed not just her own life, but the destiny of hundreds of rural women. Meet Padma Shri Rajkumari Devi, affectionately known as “Kisan Chachi” — a farmer, entrepreneur, and changemaker whose journey from a small farmer’s wife to a symbol of women’s empowerment continues to inspire millions.
From Fields to Flavour: A Journey of Innovation
Rajkumari Devi began her journey by introducing scientific methods to traditional farming, improving yields and sustainability. But her true turning point came at the turn of the century — when she decided to add a dash of spice to her mission. What started as a small home-based experiment in making pickles soon evolved into a thriving enterprise, turning local produce into products that reached households across Bihar.
Her initiative didn’t go unnoticed. In 2003, she was honoured by then-Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav during an agricultural fair in Saraiya. A few years later, in 2007, the Nitish Kumar-led government conferred upon her the ‘Kisan Shri’ Award, recognizing her remarkable contributions to organic and sustainable farming.
Empowering Rural Women, One Self-Help Group at a Time
Rajkumari Devi’s vision was never just about herself. “When I was conferred the ‘Kisan Shri’ title, the government asked me to train farmers across panchayats,” she recalls. “I began forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs) — starting with one in 2002, which eventually grew to 35 groups involving over 360 women trained at Krishi Vigyan Kendras.”
Under her guidance, these women learned modern farming practices, food processing, and product marketing — skills that helped them earn livelihoods and financial independence.
The Pickle Revolution
In 2013, a special moment changed everything. Then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi met Rajkumari Devi at a panchayat event in Gandhi Maidan, Patna. “He appreciated my work, spoke to me for nearly half an hour, and encouraged me to continue empowering women through local enterprise,” she says with pride.
Inspired, Rajkumari expanded her business. Her women-led team now makes a variety of pickles — mango, gooseberry, lemon, jackfruit, karonda (natal plum), and green chilli — along with jams, jellies, murabba, papad, and sattu. The products are made collectively, turning seasonal fruits and vegetables into sources of year-round employment.
A Legacy of Dignity and Independence
For many women working with Kisan Chachi, the pickle unit is more than just a workplace — it’s a space of confidence, learning, and sisterhood.
“Earlier, we had no source of income,” says one of her co-workers. “Now, we work together, earn together, and support our families. When Chachi progresses, we progress with her.”
Today, Rajkumari Devi stands as a beacon of rural entrepreneurship — a living example of how determination, innovation, and community can turn even a jar of pickle into a symbol of empowerment.
