Success Stories
Women at the Wheel of Progress
The Custom Hiring Center (CHC) initiative, launched by Shroffs Foundation Trust (SFT) with the support of Gujarat Gas and Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC), was introduced to support rural women in building sustainable livelihoods.
In the Tava and Vantda villages of Kavant block, two women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) came together to establish the Jay Yogeshwar CHC. The members collectively invested Rs. 60,000 in a tractor along with essential farming equipment, including a rotavator, cultivator, plow, and trolley. Within just one month and 19 days, the CHC earned a net income of Rs. 78,300 by renting out the machinery to local farmers.
The women involved in the CHC come from families that primarily rely on agriculture and Seasonal migration for their livelihood. Despite limited formal education, they saw the potential of this initiative and took leadership roles, with five members from each SHG forming CHC. A tractor driver was hired to manage the machinery, ensuring efficient service to farmers.
The CHC functions as a rental service, offering affordable access to agricultural machinery. This has not only generated income for the CHC members but has also reduced dependency on expensive private rentals for local farmers. However, challenges such as machinery maintenance, tire punctures, and managing finances with limited literacy remain areas that require continued effort and support.
Kokilaben, president of Jay Yogeshwar CHC shared, “Running the CHC has been a learning experience for us. We are learning how to manage finance from our family members and negotiate with farmers. There are challenges like tyre punctures, but we can solve them together.”
The CHC initiative is more than just a business—it is a step toward economic independence for rural women. By working together, they have not only created a sustainable income source but also strengthened their position in the community, proving that with the right opportunities, financial empowerment is within reach.