Turning Opportunity into Enterprise

In Jenapur village, twelve women of the Nilakantha Self-Help Group (SHG) have already demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit by successfully managing dal processing and paddy dehusking units. Building on this success, they now aspire to expand their enterprise by installing a paper plate-making machine to meet the growing local demand of over 1,000 plates per day.

The proposed machine will not only increase production and earnings but also significantly reduce physical drudgery, enabling the women to balance productivity with well-being. The venture has strong market potential, as paper plates are in daily demand across nearby villages, shops, and community events.

However, technology alone cannot ensure sustainability. The Nilakantha SHG will benefit from technical training to operate and maintain the machinery efficiently, alongside enterprise management handholding to strengthen group coordination, financial literacy, and business planning. Additionally, market linkages with dependable buyers and raw-material suppliers will help establish a consistent and profitable supply chain.

With these combined efforts, the initiative envisions transforming a modest paper plate unit into a sustainable, women-led rural enterprise, one that promotes income generation, empowerment, and community development in Jenapur.