K Mamatha is an encouraging exception in a society when occupations are often defined by conventional gender norms. A young lady who became a farmer by mistake has turned her business into a successful one in a matter of years, demonstrating how creativity and perseverance can convert obstacles into possibilities.

Mamatha, 32, a graduate of computer science, had originally dreamed of working in the IT sector. She became a housewife after marriage, however, and devoted her life to raising her husband, G. Chandra Sekhar, and their two children in the little hamlet of Gobbillamitta, which is close to the district seat of Chittoor.

With the low revenue from conventional farming, her husband, a small-scale farmer, found it difficult to support the family. After seeing his struggles, Mamatha made the decision to help him by actively cultivating their four acres of land. Mamatha quickly came to the conclusion that traditional agricultural practices, which prioritized crops that required a lot of water, including sugarcane and paddy, were not making enough money. She sought advice from the Krishi Vignan Kendra (RASS KVK) of the Rural Agricultural Science Society because she was determined to change. She used this knowledge to investigate substitutes, shorter-duration, and water-efficient crops, laying the groundwork for a radical change on their farm.

“At first, I began with vegetable cultivation on a small portion of our land,” Mamatha told Hans India. Motivated by the steady demand, I also ventured into floriculture. We eventually committed all four of our acres to horticulture.

She received crucial instruction in high-yield seed types, economical farming practices, contemporary agricultural techniques, and successful crop management thanks to her affiliation with KVK. Their profits increased as a result of these revelations, which also assisted in lowering total agricultural costs. With pride, she said, “I am now a full-time farmer, and my husband concentrates on marketing our produce.”

Other women in her neighborhood have been encouraged to consider agriculture as a viable career path by Mamatha’s success. With KVK’s assistance, she actively mentors and encourages other female farmers as a member of the Women Farmers Committee. She is now a role model for many aspiring female agricultural entrepreneurs because to her initiatives.

Mamatha and her husband chose a direct-to-market strategy because they recognized the difficulties faced by intermediaries in agricultural trading. They sell their goods in weekly markets in Tirupati, where they can get higher rates, and Kalava Kunta, which is close to Penumuru. In order to maximize their profits, they also provide flowers straight to event planners for decorating reasons.

To further avoid the need for wholesalers and intermediaries, they also work with a relative who is a flower merchant in Penumuru to guarantee direct marketing of their goods.

The transformation of Mamatha from a reserved housewife to a prosperous farmer was praised by Dr. Srinivasulu, Chief Scientist of KVK. “Mamatha is a shining example of how farming can be profitable through diversification and modern agricultural techniques,” he added.

Mamatha’s narrative serves as a tribute to tenacity, inventiveness, and the strength of willpower as she expands her agricultural enterprise. Her story is about more than simply success in agriculture; it’s about shattering stereotypes and demonstrating that women can succeed in any industry if they have the correct attitude.