Banarali Dhara, a resident of the remote Ashwaththtala village in Kulpi, South 24 Parganas, has been awarded the prestigious “Distinguished Farmer” title by the President of India. On January 26, she will receive this honor from President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi. Banarali is one of only ten individuals across the country to be recognized this year, and she is the sole recipient from West Bengal.
Banarali’s journey began in her hometown of Kakdwip, where her parents were teachers but agriculture was an integral part of their household. Her husband initially worked in farming and the fertilizer-pesticide business before transitioning to a primary school teaching job. In 2005, Banarali took the reins of her family’s agricultural business, marking the beginning of her deep involvement in farming. Around the same time, she initiated a self-help group with ten women from her locality, helping them find ways to earn a livelihood. Over time, the group grew, and Banarali formed the “Ashwaththtala Women’s Welfare Society.”
Training and Empowerment in Agriculture
In 2017, Banarali attended a training program at the Nimpith Ramakrishna Ashram Agricultural Science Center in Jaynagar, where she was introduced to modern agricultural practices. She gained insights into various state and central government agricultural schemes and began leveraging these projects to help the women in her group become self-reliant.
Banarali successfully involved the women in a government project to grow hybrid sunflower seeds, covering nearly 100 bighas of land. She also helped several hundred women plant coconut saplings provided by the government. Banarali arranged for women from the village to receive training at the Agricultural Science Center and also brought experts to the village for on-site training.
In addition to crop cultivation, Banarali expanded her initiatives to include poultry, goat farming, and more, engaging hundreds of women in these ventures. Currently, nearly 200 women are actively involved in agriculture under her leadership, with many men in the village also participating in these farming projects. Banarali formed a Farmers’ Producer Company (FPC) and a Farmers’ Interest Group (FIG), further facilitating collaboration and growth. She also introduced efficient irrigation systems, such as drip and bari irrigation, to enhance local farming practices.
Banarali’s Vision of Empowering Women
Reflecting on her journey, Banarali says, “I once only managed the household chores. By chance, I became involved in farming. At the Agricultural Science Center, I realized there were immense opportunities in this field. I was already working with local women, and I decided to bring them into agriculture. I have always wanted women to earn independently alongside their household work. I never imagined that I would receive recognition from the President of India. It fills me with pride to receive this award from the President.”
Chandankumar Mandal, the head of the Nimpith Ramakrishna Ashram Agricultural Science Center, praised Banarali’s work, saying, “She came to us as a student, and over time, she united women and encouraged them to take on new agricultural ventures. We have always supported her efforts, and this recognition is a great honor for our center as well.”
Banarali Dhara’s dedication and leadership have not only transformed her own life but have also empowered hundreds of women and men in her village. Her work stands as an inspiration for rural communities across the country, showing that with determination and vision, even the smallest of villages can achieve remarkable growth in agriculture and self-reliance.