Badasahi: Rukmini Bhoi, a woman of Badasahi in Mayurbhanj district, was once struggling to make both ends meet, but now she is self sufficient. Rukmini is running a small business of making mixture. As a successful cottage entrepreneur, she has become an example for others.
Rukmini sells around two quintals of mixture every week. By maintaining quality and taste, she has won a large number of customers. But she had to struggle a lot to establish her small business.
She has been preparing Badam, Pakudi, Seo, Ganthia, Muga Chhana, Kabuli Buta Chhana, Dalibuta, Bhaja Buta and Alu Bhujia. The business has come up due to her hard work, dedication and strong will.
Rukmini is married to Mahendra Kumar. Her husband had a small shop. The earnings from the shop were too less. The couple could not expand the business due to lack of funds. Chhana Matar had good demand in the area then. Rukmini made up her mind to start this business.
With the help of her in-laws, she got raw material for Rs 1100 from a shop on credit. She started her Channna Matra trade in a small way and gradually it grew bigger. Now her business is 15 years old.
“My quality product and good demeanour are the keys to the growth of my business. For quality, I have been using only refined oil, pea flour, buta, dali buta, mung and spices,” she added.
After frying all these tings in oil, chilli powder and spices are added to the mixture. Then it is packed in polythene packets. Her mixture is in high demand in Badasahi, Betanoti, Khunta, Gopabandhunagar and other areas. Her husband has been helping her in running the business.
The couple sells the mixture and makes a profit of Rs 8 to Rs 10 per kg. The couple is also rearing ducks, fowls and fishes. These activities supplement their income.
Rukmini wants to expand her business, but there is a problem. “To prepare mixture on a large scale a machine is required. If I get a loan to buy the machine, I can expand the business and create some jobs. I can also hire some women of our village for running the business,” she said.
PNN
