Jammu, August 7, 2026– In a remarkable example of women-led rural entrepreneurship, 533 women from Rattanal village in Bishnah, Jammu, have successfully transformed locally grown spices and rice into value-added products under the ‘Pragati’ Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM)–UMEED.
By leveraging local agricultural produce and adopting modern processing, packaging and marketing techniques, the women have established thriving micro-enterprises that have collectively generated a turnover of over ₹31 lakh. Their success highlights the growing impact of community-led businesses in strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing household incomes.
The initiative has enabled women to move beyond traditional farming by adding value to locally cultivated spices and rice, creating market-ready products with greater commercial potential. Through the collective platform of the Pragati FPO, members have gained better access to markets, improved production practices and stronger business opportunities.
Officials said the achievement reflects the vision of JKRLM–UMEED to promote self-reliance, women entrepreneurship and sustainable rural development through community institutions. By empowering women with entrepreneurial skills and market linkages, the mission is creating long-term livelihood opportunities while boosting the local economy.
Encouraged by their growing success, the women entrepreneurs now aim to expand their reach beyond domestic markets and take their products to international consumers. Their journey stands as an inspiring example of how collective enterprise, value addition and government support can transform rural communities into engines of economic growth.
