Padma lives in a village in Bokaro district, Jharkhand. She is a member of the self-help group Kalyan Swayam Sahayata Samuh and works as a Sevika providing basic health and childcare services for very low wages. She has two children with her husband, Murari Mahato, a farmer.
Padma and Murari grew paddy on their land, but because water is scarce, they weren’t able to grow in times other than the monsoon season. They often found themselves in financial trouble and wished they could afford better schooling for their children.
A Meeting That Changed Everything
One day, Padma attended a meeting with her self-help group. PRADAN, which, with our support, helps educate farmers in rural villages on sustainable farming practices, presented to the group on climate-resilient agriculture and irrigation solutions.
Padma told them about her family’s situation of owning some land, but having no water source. They, in turn, introduced the group to solar lift irrigation, which is the process of “lifting” water from a river or other natural source using solar-powered pumps. Padma listened carefully and took lots of notes — she was eager to share the information with her friends and neighbors.
She was persistent, and as more and more of her neighbors heard and asked about the system, Padma decided a community meeting would be a good idea. It took a few tries to bring in the entire community, but a subsequent meeting held one evening turned things around. With the help of PRADAN staff, the system was explained in simple terms, including how 15-20 acres of barren land could be cultivated using this system.
Solar energy meant no recurring and expensive power costs or the need to be connected to a power grid. With cost-sharing, community farms could all participate. Farmers would contribute 25% of the installation cost, with the rest covered through support from other partners, along with training and agriculture promotion support from Share & Care.
A Turning Point for the Village … and Padma
A group of farmers agreed to take ownership of the proposed collective system, and soon a dedicated bank account was opened, and the Shiv Savitri Solar Committee was formed. Weekly meetings were scheduled to discuss farming plans, contributions, and system maintenance. The installation of the solar lift irrigation system was begun — a turning point in the lives of Padma and the entire village.
The Share & Care Foundation supplied financial and technical support, and PRADAN oversaw the project and planning. Once the irrigation system was installed, everything changed — for the better. Unused land was now green, and soon they were producing crops of vegetables, cereals, and pulses.
As for Padma and her family, she began growing radishes, tomatoes, potatoes, mustard, cabbage, rice, wheat … and her income! That first year, she earned 2.5 lakh, which had previously been beyond her wildest dreams.
Today, farming is the family’s main livelihood. Her son is attending college, their standard of living has improved, and they all now have confidence in their futures without the daily worries of depending on low-paid wage work. She also continues to share her story with other communities, which has resulted in more groups exploring solar-based solutions.
A Ripple Effect Across Villages
Padma’s persistence removed their doubts and built trust, and thanks to her hard work, the Shiv Savitri Solar Committee meets regularly to plan crop cycles, discuss market linkages, and maintain the system. Their system is a shining example of how shared responsibility and joint action can lead to long-term solutions.
She also now guides other women in her self-help group network in these methods as a viable income source and encourages them to believe they, too, are capable of driving real change.
The next generation is already benefiting from her work. Her story is now discussed in other villages where similar water issues exist, and more groups are exploring solar-based solutions.
Join Us
Padma’s journey demonstrates what’s possible when rural women receive the information, autonomy, and support they need. With timely backing, she became a living example of how collective action can tackle pressing local challenges — from water scarcity to low farm productivity.
Join us in celebrating women’s health and empowerment through education. Your gift will help us continue creating opportunities for marginalized communities.
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